New CD player on the way - Still a little foggy about handling of signal by AVR

[timetohunt]

My Rotel-1072 CD player will ready to be picked up in a day or two. Its my first player to be considered of audiofile quality. As I prepare my brain for it, I still have some foggy areas. The player will be connected to an AVR for now, this AVR is a capable piece, although not high end. Here are some questions.

1. Does the AVR at any point if connected to the CD player via analogs cables, and the AVR set in the 'direct' mode, do any type of digital conversion at all. I am just wary of something the AVR might do to diminish the very reason I went with a higher end CD player to begin with. How can I make sure that the receiver does not digitize the source.

2. How will bass management work in this case. There are plenty of CDs that I have, esp live ones, that really sound good with the use of subwoofers. So, will the subwoofers still work if the AVR is in direct mode. What about stereo mode on the AVR. I think I understand the difference between direct and stereo. Except once again, if in 'stereo' mode doesn't the AVR digitize the signal. Since you can use the tone, and midnight modes when in 'stereo' mode. I thought that the AVR would have to digitize the signal in order to apply those options.

Anyone? Thanks,
tim

 

[Joe Schmoe]

1) Direct mode should bypass 100% of digital processing.
2) There will be no LFE output in this mode, but there is a way to connect the sub so that it will output the low bass sent to the speakers (the details depend on both the sub and the AVR, so peruse your owner's manuals.)

I hope you hear a difference that makes the price worthwhile to you. Personally, I have never heard any difference at all between high end CD players and entry level ones.

 

[Seth=L]

Most receivers still output the subwoofer signal when in direct mode. The problem is, the x-over is disabled (as they are typically digital) and the subwoofer is fed a default signal. The x-over and level adjustment on the subwoofer would need to be adjusted every time to compensate for the speakers being set to full range.

This is why I don't invest in high end CD players, well this and the fact I don't hear an audible difference between expensive CD players and my CD player from 1987.

Outlaw has a stereo receiver that uses analog algorithms for it's x-over, instead of digital.

 

[timetohunt]

1) Direct mode should bypass 100% of digital processing.
2) There will be no LFE output in this mode, but there is a way to connect the sub so that it will output the low bass sent to the speakers (the details depend on both the sub and the AVR, so peruse your owner's manuals.)

I hope you hear a difference that makes the price worthwhile to you. Personally, I have never heard any difference at all between high end CD players and entry level ones.

I hear you about inaudible differences, get it, 'hear you'. Its just that with a CD collection that has got to have over $14k in it, (I think it might be much more than that). I got the player new for $600, from a local auth dealer. That is a good price even in internet terms. I can take it back if I don't like it. If nothing else, I will have a long lasting machine, with a good solid transport. So, I am not out in that $1500 - $8000 for a player, which by the way compares favorably to very very expensive units. I can't affort that anyway. This is one that is worth a chance IMO. I promise I will report back with honest data after i play with it for a while.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I promise I will report back with honest data after i play with it for a while.

It is not about being honest or dishonest in reporting as one will report what they perceive and what the brain translates and dictates
It is about the subconscious bias we all have that controls and interferes with our senses. That is why for reliable results, bias controlled comparison is needed.

 

[davidtwotrees]

It is not about being honest or dishonest in reporting as one will report what they perceive and what the brain translates and dictates
It is about the subconscious bias we all have that controls and interferes with our senses. That is why for reliable results, bias controlled comparison is needed.

Ok, the guy gets it. He knows his Rotel isn't going to be an earth shattering improvement over a Panasonic cd player. He only spent $600, which isn't an earth shattering amount in the AV world. Rotel makes nice gear. If someone was to offer me a free CDP, and the choices were a $79 Wally World Panasonic, or the Rotel in question I would pick the Rotel. Every time. Would it sound better, gosh I don't know. Would it be built better, out of better materials, with better engineering, with better design? You betcha.

TimetoHunt. Enjoy your gear. If a Rotel CDP makes you enjoy your collection of CD's then it was worth it.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Would it sound better, gosh I don't know. Would it be built better, out of better materials, with better engineering, with better design? You betcha.

Oh, absolutely. There are plenty of good reasons other than sound quality for buying a particular product.