Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

33.0. "CD Players - A Decision" by GRDIAN::RIES () Mon Sep 17 1984 12:22

This note is actually from Vernon Miller at TPLVAX::MILLER.  We don't have
NOTES on our system, so I have to scrounge around.  Too much overhead, I
guess...


Well, anyway, I have been following various discussions about CD players,
discs, and technology for several months now.  I finally decided that it was
about time for me to form my own opinions.  So, for those of you that are
interested, here goes...

With the help of a local audio store, I was able to simultaneously borrow
several players to take home.  They were as follows;

	NEC CD-803E
	Yamaha CD-1
	Yamaha CD-2
	Kenwood DP-700

I was also able to try a Yamaha CD-X1, but didn't feel that the differences
between it and the CD-2 warranted having it at home.  Anyway, these players
represented a good mix of old and new technology, single and three beam
focusing systems, and single and double DAC players.  Frank Ries (GRDIAN::RIES)
and I performed literally hours of double-blind A/B tests on all of the
players, and we also evaluated functions found on them.  We came to the
following conclusions;

1) Generally, the second-generation machines sounded better than the first-
   generation ones, with the exception of the Yamaha CD-1.  The difference
   in sound was not great, but the CD-1 seemed to have better bass than the
   others.

2) The second-generation machines pretty much all sounded alike.  Neither
   Frank nor I could consistently pick one machine as better sounding.
   Any supposed differences could be nullified by simply adjusting the
   relative levels of the machines; our biggest problem was making sure
   that the two machines were playing with equal loudness.

3) We heard none of the wierd things that have been attributed to CDs.
   Perhaps we just didn't listen long enough, but I get the feeling that
   the problems may be imaginary, or too trivial to worry about.
   Remember, hi-fi is not supposed to be real; if you want reality, go
   to a concert.  I'm sure that CDs have their peculiarities, but they
   certainly are no more annoying than those associated with analog
   recordings (i.e. records).


Based on our tests and comparisons, Frank and I both purchased Yamaha CD-2
players.  We both have them in our homes now, and I personally couldn't be
more delighted.  The dynamic range, clarity, and convenience I've exper-
ienced make CDs well worth it, in my opinion.  Media problems have been
minimal; I now own about 8 discs, but I've listened to more than 20, most
of which have been heavily used.  As with records, there are good discs
and there are so-so discs; the main difference is that, unlike records,
a good CD is nothing short of phenomenal!

For those with extremely golden ears, take heart.  Perhaps my ears are not
as good as yours, or maybe my equipment is not quite up to snuff.  Maybe
there are really bad problems with CDs that I was not able to hear.
But I kind of doubt it.


					Vernon Miller
					TPLVAX::MILLER
					DTN 264-5968

I forgot to mention one thing.  I feel that the majority of the differences in
the new players are in cost and features, so one should probably shop for the
best features consistent with the amount of money one has.  Trying to shop for
differences in sound, especially with second-generation and later players,
is probably a futile effort.

Also, we feel that the difference in sound between the first- and second-
generation machines we used in our tests may (and, I repeat, may) be due to
tracking errors and/or ECC errors.  By and large, the second-generation
machines seem to be better at holding onto the data than their older
counterparts.


Despite the brough-ha-ha over the new Revox machine, I was not particularly
impressed by it.  Like so many others, I stopped and heard it at Natural
Sound.  You may be interested to know that it has the same carriage assembly
as the $300 Magnavox player.

I was also told by a bystander that the original Magnavox player did 4X
oversampling.  Is this true?


					Vernon Miller
					TPLVAX::MILLER

Where did you find the Yamaha CD-2s in stock?

-lynx-

We got our CD-2s from Tweeter Etc. in Nashua.  I understand that we got
some of the first units; I guess they are very scarce.  The person that I
deal with at Tweeter said that their allocation for Southern NH and Maine
has only been about a dozen units so far.  They expect their next shipment
about middle October sometime.

I really like the CD-2.  Even though it's a bit more expensive than other
CDs around, it also has a lot of neat features.  The thing I like about
it is that the buttons do exactly what you'd expect them to do (which is
rare on consumer electronics in general), and it isn't cluttered up with
unnecessary junk.  It also sounds damn good, in my opinion.

If anyone wants to chat about CD players, they can send mail at
TPLVAX::MILLER.  For me, that's faster than using NOTES.


				Vernon

Well, I finally bought a unit.

I got the Sony CDP-400 at Tweeter at Chestnut Hill Mall. Cost was $695.

It sounds great. Has all the features I wanted.

(lynx)