Universal DVD players for music playback??

[Bodymechanic]

Hiya!

I use my setup as a dedicated HT most of the time, but, on the rare occassion when I have the house all to myself I love to break out my CD's and give the ol amp a workout!

My question is two-fold;

1) Is it a good idea to use a universal DVD player for CD playback (barring SACD or DVD-A) ?

2) Is it a simple process that can be handled equally well by most players or is it as critical as image management issues can be with these devices?

Simply put: would it be better to own a CD player that was excellent at doing that sole function and a DVD player that was top-notch at it's specialty or a single device that can handle both?

Thanks,

BM

 

[claudermilk]

IMHO, use the universal. It will work fine. Keep in mind it's *meant* for music playback with the SACD & DVD-A decoding firmware, so would you think the standard Redbook CD decoder is going to be worse?

BTW, love that LotR quote.

 

[j_garcia]

I use my SACD player for music listening for 2 reasons - 1) It sounds better than my universal player with SACD and 2) 5 discs. 90% of my music listening is via my CD player. For CDs, they basically sound the same to my ears. So, I'd say it depends on how critical of a listener you intend to be. Most DVD players are good enough CD players for most people. Whether or not you fit into that category is up to you.

 

[MrKlister]

By definition, a universal player will play most 5" disks at least reasonably well. My Marantz 9500 plays redbook cd's outstandingly.

 

[hopjohn]

At this point in the product cycle, you can expect CD playback to be of high quality in universal players in the + $300 range. You might get say +2% more performance if you spend $700+ on a standalone CD player, but the cost increase outweighs any peformance increase IMO.

 

[nibhaz]

I believe that hopjohn has pretty much hit the nail on the head. However another factor that must be considered is how you are connecting the player to your receiver (analog or digital), and quality of the DACs in your receiver vs the DACs in the player. If your receiver has quality DACs and you are using an optical connection the differences between players become almost negligible, barring that they are of sound design. If you are using the an analog connection, and thus the player's DACs, and the player's analog output stages the player becomes much more of a factor, and thus there may be an improvements in audio playback. As always the law of diminishing ROI is in effect.

Simple right?

PS I love my universal’s Redbook playback!

 

[Bodymechanic]

Excellent information. Thank you. That's why I have come to trust asking questions here. I'm probably gonna get to see all sides possible and know that many of you are damn near experts (if not bonafide experts ).

I am using digital connections btw.

Thanks a billion

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am using digital connections btw.

Thanks a billion

Then, it will stand up to CD players costing 5 figures

 

[jaxvon]

Sleestack can vouch for this. Unless you're using a complete POS CD player that can't keep a constant speed, they'll all sound the same through the digital connection because your receiver (or whatever is doing the D/A work) is forming the sound you hear.

That said, the DACs and analog sections in the more esoteric CD players all have their own signature sound, so they will vary. This isn't to say that any one is better than another, but you may find one that colors the sound to your liking.

 

[nibhaz]

I agree with mtrycrafts completely in reference to his post concerning optical connections. My earlier post suggesting that differences were almost negligible was an attempt to be tactful...an issue brought up by jaxvon in another thread...is this considered thread jacking?


Anyway, looks to me that you’re good to go with your current configuration. Acoustical treatments for your room would provide a much higher ROI if you really have a case of upgradeitus.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Sleestack can vouch for this. Unless you're using a complete POS CD player that can't keep a constant speed, they'll all sound the same through the digital connection because your receiver (or whatever is doing the D/A work) is forming the sound you hear.
.

Actually, the digital data is buffered, so it matters not if the speed is irregular which it will be. But, the buffer needs to be large enough to pack enough data.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I agree with mtrycrafts completely in reference to his post concerning optical connections. My earlier post suggesting that differences were almost negligible was an attempt to be tactful...an issue brought up by jaxvon in another thread...is this considered thread jacking?

That's what happens when you are unsure of yourself You listen to others and still get in trouble

 

[nibhaz]

What a tactful rip…thanks…how sweet