I've been thinking about getting a stand alone CD player but not really sure it's worth it these days. Budget would be under £200 and I already have a BD player which I can use. So really just wondering if I will see any improvement in sound quality, or more importantly any improvement for under £200.
Stand Alone CD Player
- Thread starter imb4tman
- Start date
I have the Denon 1611, it's certainly no Oppo but its not bad either. What got me thinking about a CD player was the argument between vinyl and CD. Many say there is very little difference between the two. But my turntable out performs my BD player, so either; a. vinyl really is better or b. I have room for improvement on the the CD side.
I'm also thinking a CD player would be an investment. A good player is good player. I wouldn't be changing it unless it broke.
I'm also thinking a CD player would be an investment. A good player is good player. I wouldn't be changing it unless it broke.
Amp is the Denon 1911. Speakers, Dali Lector LCR'S and the turntable is the Project Debut III.
As long as the amp and speakers are capable then I would expect a decent £200 CD player to sound significantly more musical than a <£500 DVD/BD player.
There are some caveats though. An AV amp won't do full justice to a decent source in the same way as a dedicated 2 channel analogue hi-fi amp would. Also, a sub/sat speaker system will struggle to resolve all of the improved dynamics and timing and resolution from a decent CD player. Having said all that, I run a CD player as well as a high-end Denon DVD/SACD/DVD-A transport in my AV system and can still tell the difference between the two.
Vinyl vs CD.... both good but different. Vinyl or CD versus either BD or DVD player then the Hi-Fi source has the advantage. The video disc spinners are handicapped by the inclusion of video processing; shared power supplies; and focus on other aspects rather than 2ch music performance.
There are some caveats though. An AV amp won't do full justice to a decent source in the same way as a dedicated 2 channel analogue hi-fi amp would. Also, a sub/sat speaker system will struggle to resolve all of the improved dynamics and timing and resolution from a decent CD player. Having said all that, I run a CD player as well as a high-end Denon DVD/SACD/DVD-A transport in my AV system and can still tell the difference between the two.
Vinyl vs CD.... both good but different. Vinyl or CD versus either BD or DVD player then the Hi-Fi source has the advantage. The video disc spinners are handicapped by the inclusion of video processing; shared power supplies; and focus on other aspects rather than 2ch music performance.
Thanks for the replies. It would be great to have a stereo amp for music, but without pre outs on my AV it would be a fidly setup using some sort of source switch.
I'm glad to hear you say there is a quality increase using a standalone. And of course the CD player would remain with other upgrades. So that in the future if I get an AV with pre outs I can look to get a good stereo amp for the left and right channels.
I'm glad to hear you say there is a quality increase using a standalone. And of course the CD player would remain with other upgrades. So that in the future if I get an AV with pre outs I can look to get a good stereo amp for the left and right channels.
The Project I believe is quite a well regarded deck, looks the strongest part of your system by far, so yes a BD player is probably not keeping up with it....
I'd look to an Arcam from a few years back, should have smooth full sound to go with the vinyl.....
I'd look to an Arcam from a few years back, should have smooth full sound to go with the vinyl.....
I got the Project for a steal. It was an open box model going for the same price as the essential, no brainier really, especially as they had put a brand new stylus on it. I'll check out the Arcam, I've heard good things about them already. What do you think of Marantz? I see you their AV.
Marantz I have is pretty good, but then it wasn't a budget model. General AV amps get a bad press here, to which I can understand at the budget end. Expecting an AV amp to do 101 jobs and be fully featured at 300 quid is going have some pretty big corners cut somewhere.
Spend more and I think you get a respectable sound most would be happy with, when hooked up to some good speakers and a good source.
Thing is to go to a decent dealer and have a listen, and find what best suits your needs and ear.
Spend more and I think you get a respectable sound most would be happy with, when hooked up to some good speakers and a good source.
Thing is to go to a decent dealer and have a listen, and find what best suits your needs and ear.
I may have found a solution that might work. This product.
Swype the Onkyo A9155 from my office and switch between the two sources depending on stereo or surround. Just worried this product might be a weak chain in the link, but from the pictures its looks well made and good connections on the back.
Swype the Onkyo A9155 from my office and switch between the two sources depending on stereo or surround. Just worried this product might be a weak chain in the link, but from the pictures its looks well made and good connections on the back.
Soldato
- Joined
- 23 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 3,177
a guy on AVF has one and loves it.
Just did a search for it. I think this will be a good solution. I won't have to compromise for stereo music and still keep the surround sound.