Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    
      >   o dual D/A converters ( I know what d/a is, why are 2 better?)
    
    One D/A for the left channel, one for the right. It is easy to share
    a digital signal path for the two channels, but it is slighlty more
    difficult to share an analogue path (conceptuonally immediatly after 
    the D/A and just before the filters).
    
     >    Lastly, what features are *really* important. I know that you can
     >    get lots of bells & whistles, but what feature really get the most
     >   use.
    
    Stricly speaking for my self, in order of importance
    
    	- The disc loading drawer :-) Seriously, I can load only
    	  one but I know I'd appreciate a 'six-pack' if I had it.
    	- The remote control. Any button other then on/off on the
    	  player is another buck spend to much!
    
    	On the remote control:
    	- The volume control button
    	- The pause/play button
    	- The 'next' button
    
    	Far behind those:
    
    	- Headphone outlet.
    	- Full track/disk timer / counter display 
    	  (Can I have one on my remote or my TV please?)
    	- Programmability (although I could do with an Unfavourable
    	  Track Avoidance program function remembering my disks and
    	  preferences: normally called: 'Favourite Track Select :-)
    	- Portability.
      	- Battery operatable.
    
    You'll love it,
    
    Hein.

    The January issue of Consumer Reports has a lengthy article on cd
    players, and ratings of some current models.  This would be worthwhile
    reading, if only to get a background on the features, etc.  I know that
    some audiophiles criticize Consumer Reports for not being
    discriminating enough, but it's still good background without a lot of
    technical jargon.
    
    There are a number of good players in the $200 range.  If you go up to
    $250 or $300, and look for sales, there are more than enough models to
    choose from.
    
    

    Hi Tom (wonder what happened to you!),
    
    There has been a lot of "opinions" on the three beam vs the single
    beam pick ups.  I've recently noticed that the higher priced 
    (> $800 retail) have changed back to single laser.  I've read that
    the circuitry for tracking has improved so that the three beams
    are no longer needed.  Originally, the three beams were to provide
    the best opportunity to pick up all the data, with out read errors.
    
    If you are going to buy a portable (which is how I started,  and
    I used it for both the home, car and as a headphone portable) tracking
    ability is very important.  Give each model the "BUMP" test in the
    store.  I would think that three beams in a portable would be
    important, since the high priced tracking circuitry and motor may
    not be built in portables yet.
    
    For a non portable, I find the remote control a valuable asset (skip,
    volume control, pause) and I have really enjoyed using the six pack
    on my new player.
    
    Dave Leader
    

    It really depends on what you want and how you are going to use the
    player.
    
    I recently purchased a CD player (Sony C7-ESD, top rated of the changer
    models in the January issue of Consumer Reports), and like it a lot. 
    But I did a lot of research before buying it to insure it would do what
    I want.
    
    My favorite features of the Sony is the remote control with volume
    control (my receiver is not equipped for remote control) and the
    turntable type changer (the C7-ESD will hold up to five disks without
    the need for any type of cartridge).  I really like loading up enough
    disks for the music to last a long time, and changing from disk to disk
    (to hear favorite songs across disks).  I won't go much into this,
    though, since it's out of your price range anyway (I picked it up for
    $429).
    
    My suggestion would be:
    
    (1)	Think carefully about what you want.  Go to a lot of audio stores
    	and see the various CD players.  Use them in the store, and try to
    	get an idea of what you like and what you don't like.
    (2)	Read some of the prior notes in this conference.  It contains a
    	wealth of useful information.
    (3)	Read the January issue of Consumer Reports.  Even if you don't
    	agree with the way the rate things (I do, but that's a personal
    	opinion), the issue contains a great deal of information about the
    	various features of CD players and what they really mean.
    (4)	When you are ready to buy, shop for price and service.  By service,
    	I mean make sure that the store will stand behind what they sell,
    	and that if you're unhappy with your purchase, that they'll
    	exchange it.  Shop for price, too: For the Sony player that I
    	picked up, nearly all stores sold it for $480.00.  I decided to
    	spend $5.00 on phone calls and payed $429.00.  A significant
    	savings.
    
    Good luck, and I hope you're satisfied with whatever you decide on. 
    Rest assured that the sound quality will most likely blow you away.
    
    	-- Jeff

    	A friend of mine has a Sony discman portable player and IMHO,
    it S***S!  The slightest vibration anywhere in the room and it skips
    like crazy.  In other words, you can't put it in the same room as
    your speakers and play it at any considerable volume without having
    problems.  I can't imagine driving it around with it on the front
    seat of a car (unless you drive a Caddy or a town car).
    
    	I have a JVC (don't recall the model) with just about every
    concievable bell and whistle which I paid $250 for from Leechmere
    (the proper spelling) and I am very pleased with it.  It won't run
    on 12 volts, but it would certainly handle the vibration.  It has
    a remote that duplicates EVERY front panel function - including
    drawer open - not to mention some really fancy editing and repeat
    tricks.  All this plus dual d/a converters and 4X oversampling.
    What more could you ask for (except a changer)?
    				
    					Brad
    

    I believe I have the same JVC (XL450) as -.1.  The only thing it is
    lacking is volume control on the Remote (a must!!).  I paid a little
    extra to get this model because it has adjustable volume control on the
    headphone jack (another must, you can use it without an amp).  If I had
    it to do over again I would definitely get a multi-disk player.  They
    have come way down in price.  If you do decide on the multi-disk, make
    sure you understand the 'random' or 'shuffle' algorithm.  I remember
    hearing something about some of the players being brain dead when it
    came to playing selections randomly. 

    re: .5
    
    I own a Sony D-4. I use it in my car as well as on my home system.
    I have no problem with it (skipping wise) in either place. Even
    when my kids are (literally) bouncing around the room to 'Sledgehammer'
    (turned up load enough to have to shout to be heard) I have never
    experienced a skip. In the car, it does skip on only the worst of
    bumps. Sounds like your friends player has a problem.
    
    Ken....