CD Players- $200-$500 $1000 and up.

[dpnaugle]

I have the Toshiba HD DVD player and it plays CD's. It sounds pretty good and I'm not sure I will be able to hear a difference with an upgrade. Thing is, and it maybe an old school way of thinking but I just want a dedicated CD player.

Lots of questions...

Is there a difference in any of the higher end manufacturers, Marantz, Rotel, Denon, NAD etc. at the $300-$500 mark? What is the difference? Isn't it all digital and if you are hearing it then its is working?

Can you get better then 24-bit, 192-kHz resolution in the $300-$500 range?

Can you get into the SACD- HDCD machines for under a $1000 whats the difference?

Thx

Don

 

[Seth=L]

My advice, keep using the Toshiba HD-DVD player as your all-round disc spinner. I hear it has excellent CD playback and upconverts standard dvds very well.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Isn't it all digital and if you are hearing it then its is working?

If your CD is going to be connected to your AVR via the digital output, then yes, all CD players from $10 - $2000 will sound identical. The difference can only be heard when you connect via the analog red&white RCA jacks.

And most people will say the differences are very minor between a basic CD player and an expensive CD player (I use a Sony megadisk changer because I don't think it sounds any different than my NAD player. And its more convenient).

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thing is, and it maybe an old school way of thinking but I just want a dedicated CD player.

Yes, that is an old school way of thinking.


Is there a difference in any of the higher end manufacturers, Marantz, Rotel, Denon, NAD etc. at the $300-$500 mark?

The price is the big difference

Isn't it all digital and if you are hearing it then its is working?

Yes, it is all digital, indeed. But, something could be broken and still hear something

Can you get better then 24-bit, 192-kHz resolution in the $300-$500 range?

There is absolutely no need for such specs You cannot hear it.

Can you get into the SACD- HDCD machines for under a $1000 whats the difference?

Thx

Don

Doesn't your HD DVD player capable of those? Some $200 DVD players are

 

[Seth=L]

The HD-DVD players do not play SACD, DVD-Audio or encode HDCD.

But I have heard that the HD-DVD player compares to very expenive CD players.

 

[emorphien]

There's a difference if you need a player with a built in DAC (and aren't using an external DAC) because your preamp has no digital inputs.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

And most people will say the differences are very minor between a basic CD player and an expensive CD player (I use a Sony megadisk changer because I don't think it sounds any different than my NAD player. And its more convenient).

To me, all CD players (and DVD players) sound great. I love anything that can make my system sound better, but I am skeptical that a more expensive CD player would make a real difference.

 

[Hammer3.8]

Well I had the same thoughts as you, I always played my cd's through my standard DVD player and wondered if I would get better sound from a dedicated CD player.

I broke down during the big boxing day sales and picked up a new Yamaha 5 disc CD changer, and I was pleased with the result. The change wasn't very noticable on some CD's, but on others you could definately hear a difference, especially in clarity. I paid just over $200 for it, I think it retails for around $300.

But if you are getting a CD player decide if you want one that will play the higher quality formats (ie DVD audio)

Good luck!

Cheers!