Improved Sound Quality?

[Jeff Johnson]

I have a two channel system in my bedroom consisting of:
Rotel RA-01 - 40 WPC integrated amp
Def Tech BP-8's
Panasonic DVD RP-56 DVD player

I will eventually upgrade the speakers, possibly to Paradigm Studio 60's. My current question deals with whether replacing my DVD player with a NAD C 521BEE or some other more expensive dedicated CD player with a "better" processor will improve the quality of sound with music. I have conflicting reports of "night and day difference" -vs- "the difference would be negligible".
Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[MarkOcena]

Jeff,

Since everything is so subjective when researching a upgraded CD player, you'll just have to have a listen to both side by side to make the final decision.

To comment on difference in quality, it depends on how you hook up the CD player. Sure there''ll be a difference if you connect it to your integrated amp with analog stereo RCA cables, because the NAD or Panasonic player is doing the processing in this case. Conversely, a digital connection makes the disc player strictly a transport, so the Rotel will be does the processing with this connection method. There might a few factors that make a difference between the NAD and Panasonic with a digital connection, but I'll leave it to more experienced people to fill us in on these factors (if they exist). I don't have a higher end player than my consumer level Toshiba SD-4800 player, so I can't comment on possible benefit of the NAD player with a digital connection.

Hope I helped a little,
Mark

 

[Jeff Johnson]

Mark,
Thanks for the response. I am using the DVD player as the processor. The receiver is new but is strictly an analog unit. Therefore, the question is about wheter an improved processor (new cd player) would have significant sonic benefit. I don't really care about the transfer capabilities (faster, quieter, etc.)
Thanks again,
Jeff

 

[av_phile]

IF the NAD Cd player has an HDCD decoder (normally has an HDCD logo on its face), then you can extract better sonics from its analog output. Apart from being able to play 20-bit HDCD discs in their native format, the filters in HDCD players are said to be superior to ordinary non-HDCD players. You may want to google search HDCD to learn more about it.

You may want to consider getting a Rotel 1070/1072 or RCD02 CD player which are HDCD capable.