Thinking about upgrading my CD player

premiumplus

premiumplus

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Flint, MI
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Stuck in the 70's
I'd appreciate some input on CD options.
Right now I've got an old Pioneer DV-45A DVR player, in fact I like it so well I bought 3 of 'em! Got one new and the other two on the cheap, used.
They're good sounding, reliable and I have never had a problem with them.
But the DACs in them are 15 year old design, and digital has made great strides in that time. I think that they would sound great with an outboard DAC, and the Pioneers have digital outputs, both Toslink and RCA.

So I think I'd like to buy a nice outboard DAC and continue to use the Pioneer transport...the question is which one to go for, considering a budget of $300-$500 or so?

Or does it make better sense to buy something like a used Oppo?

Whatcha think, guys?
 
premiumplus said:
I'd appreciate some input on CD options.
Right now I've got an old Pioneer DV-45A DVR player, in fact I like it so well I bought 3 of 'em! Got one new and the other two on the cheap, used.
They're good sounding, reliable and I have never had a problem with them.
But the DACs in them are 15 year old design, and digital has made great strides in that time. I think that they would sound great with an outboard DAC, and the Pioneers have digital outputs, both Toslink and RCA.

So I think I'd like to buy a nice outboard DAC and continue to use the Pioneer transport...the question is which one to go for, considering a budget of $300-$500 or so?

Or does it make better sense to buy something like a used Oppo?

Whatcha think, guys?
Click to expand...

Buy a used Oppo 93 (which can hit the lower half of your budget window) or a new 103 which is $499 and call it good! :-P
 
I'm still using Sony CDP-30 and 70 perodically, for crying out loud. 1986 was a nice enough vintage for me.
 
Stick with what you have and pick up an external DAC. There are so many to choose from at various price points.

Something like this should do the job.

The only downside with getting another player is the availability of replacement mechs. If that machine were to break down, you may struggle to find a new drive in the future.
 
Last edited:
orange said:
I'm still using Sony CDP-30 and 70 perodically, for crying out loud. 1986 was a nice enough vintage for me.
Click to expand...

Yup...

And I am still happy with this one:

13927954.jpg


You can ask member Glantior why, because he owns the same one.
 
Dazen1 said:
Stick with what you have and pick up an external DAC. There are so many to choose from at a various price points.

Something like this should do the job.

The only downside with getting another player is the availability of replacement mechs. If that machine were to break down, you may struggle to find a new drive in the future.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Use your CD player as just a transport and get a nice DAC.
 
premiumplus said:
I'd appreciate some input on CD options.
Right now I've got an old Pioneer DV-45A DVR player, in fact I like it so well I bought 3 of 'em! Got one new and the other two on the cheap, used.
They're good sounding, reliable and I have never had a problem with them.
But the DACs in them are 15 year old design, and digital has made great strides in that time. I think that they would sound great with an outboard DAC, and the Pioneers have digital outputs, both Toslink and RCA.

So I think I'd like to buy a nice outboard DAC and continue to use the Pioneer transport...the question is which one to go for, considering a budget of $300-$500 or so?

Or does it make better sense to buy something like a used Oppo?

Whatcha think, guys?
Click to expand...

This is the one that I have my eye on:

http://schiit.com/products/bifrost

I figured I would hook my laptop up via USB and CD player with the digital optical to the DAC. This way, I will only use one input on my receiver and free another one up for say, an outboard phono stage:toothy10:.

Oppo are quite nice though.........

I think you are good either way that you go!
 
Miracle Mile said:
Yup...

And I am still happy with this one:

13927954.jpg


You can ask member Glantior why, because he owns the same one.
Click to expand...

It's the Pulse linear D/A converter...damned nice when they came out and I can find lesser models with it dirt cheap now and then that kick butt.

After that why bother? You aren't going to appreciate any difference in CD audio and I've found those particular DACs in $5 yard sale players.

CHEAP has it's merits. Had a Sherwood that sounded quite nice too, a bit older than the Sonys though. Something like CD...10000.

You have good players and the state of D/A conversion for CD audio did basically peak 15-20 years ago. DVD-A is still out there but nobody else seems to know what you are talking about if you mention it and while players are great, I know most of us here would rather CREATE mixes. Concentrate on improving your recordings and it will make a world of difference.

PS The days of the physical disc medium are not over but they are becoming more difficult to access daily and therefore your emphasis should focus on CREATION.
 
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Dave: My daily driver is an antique in comparison - it's a Sony X7ESD from the late 80's. I believe it was only produced in 1988 and 1989. There are old units out there which are every bit as good as the current offerings. This Sony weighs as much as a vintage receiver at 35 pounds. It would have set you back more than $1900 USD back in 1988.





Not only is the CD transport silky smooth, look at the effort built into the chassis and components. This is mine pictured with the top cover off.

Nando.
 
Elite-ist said:
Dave: My daily driver is an antique in comparison - it's a Sony X7ESD from the late 80's. I believe it was only produced in 1988 and 1989. There are old units out there which are every bit as good as the current offerings. This Sony weighs as much as a vintage receiver at 35 pounds. It would have set you back more than $1900 USD back in 1988.





Not only is the CD transport silky smooth, look at the effort built into the chassis and components. This is mine pictured with the top cover off.

Nando.
Click to expand...

That's gorgeous, man!
 
premiumplus said:
I'd appreciate some input on CD options.
Right now I've got an old Pioneer DV-45A DVR player, in fact I like it so well I bought 3 of 'em! Got one new and the other two on the cheap, used.
They're good sounding, reliable and I have never had a problem with them.
But the DACs in them are 15 year old design, and digital has made great strides in that time. I think that they would sound great with an outboard DAC, and the Pioneers have digital outputs, both Toslink and RCA.

So I think I'd like to buy a nice outboard DAC and continue to use the Pioneer transport...the question is which one to go for, considering a budget of $300-$500 or so?

Or does it make better sense to buy something like a used Oppo?

Whatcha think, guys?
Click to expand...

I have 2 Onix and an Oppo, Circa Blaze and Gepetto recomendation. The Onix are the CD-1 and CD-15. The 15 came out quite a bit later than the 1. I had removed the CD-15 from the rack after hearing the Oppo. The CD-1 pulled duty last night on the 400 test, and then put the Oppo back on it, then toook the Oppo back off and the CD-1 back on. The CD-1 sounds.......um.....smoother....Yep.
 
The one reference spinner that has eluded me all my life.

Show Off! :mad:


Elite-ist said:
Dave: My daily driver is an antique in comparison - it's a Sony X7ESD from the late 80's. I believe it was only produced in 1988 and 1989. There are old units out there which are every bit as good as the current offerings. This Sony weighs as much as a vintage receiver at 35 pounds. It would have set you back more than $1900 USD back in 1988.





Not only is the CD transport silky smooth, look at the effort built into the chassis and components. This is mine pictured with the top cover off.

Nando.
Click to expand...
 
Tony: I couldn't resist!

Larry isn't on, but I'm sure he has lots of experience with his Shanling. I was contemplating on buying this one at Innovative Audio a few years back.





Nando.
 
laatsch55 said:
I have 2 Onix and an Oppo, Circa Blaze and Gepetto recomendation. The Onix are the CD-1 and CD-15. The 15 came out quite a bit later than the 1. I had removed the CD-15 from the rack after hearing the Oppo. The CD-1 pulled duty last night on the 400 test, and then put the Oppo back on it, then toook the Oppo back off and the CD-1 back on. The CD-1 sounds.......um.....smoother....Yep.
Click to expand...

More analog. The Oppo does not compare to the Onix. Great for DVDs though
 
Any left? Onix that is. Why not de-engeneer one? Mine is in the garage. Could have a better transport. Still very good though.
 
Elite-ist said:
Tony: I couldn't resist!

Larry isn't on, but I'm sure he has lots of experience with his Shanling. I was contemplating on buying this one at Innovative Audio a few years back.





Nando.
Click to expand...

A wicked player by itself. Use the remote for output. No preamp involved. The guys in Canada had a mod for it. I have hooked some pretty good DACS to it. They come out very quickly. I have never bypassed the tubes. I will never part with that CDP.
 
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speakerman1 said:
Any left? Onix that is. Why not de-engeneer one? Mine is in the garage. Could have a better transport. Still very good though.
Click to expand...

One is on loan to Timdalf the Grey, the other in the rack. So yes we have a spare Larrt.
 
Larrt, just for the eye candy factor alone I wouldn't part with it!! That Shanling is a beaut..
 
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