CD Player - Will it make a difference?

Obsession18

First let me say that I have been a long time lurker and this site has really renewed my interest in 2 channel Audio.

Now for my question - how much of a difference will one of the CD players listed below make over the run-of-the-mill Panasonic blue-ray player I'm currently using.

Emotiva ERC-1
Cambridge Audio 650C
Jolida JD100

I have recently added the following goodies to my set-up to give you an idea of what I've got:

Parasound 2250 Power Amp (this helped tame the brightness of my old Rti 10's) being feed by a Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH as my pre/pro.

Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature System (1-pc) that were trade-ins I got from Ty via Audiogon last week (these things are unbelievable).

Frankly the quality of sound I'm experiencing right now is blowing my mind, but I really feel the blue-ray player isn't doing my speakers justice.

steveinaz

It's hard to say, but I'd venture a guess that the Jolida, being a tubed player, would likely make the biggest difference.

I have a Panasonic DMP-BD30, and when compared to my CEC CD-3300 CDP ($600), the panny is thick sounding, and not quite as articulate--nor neutral sounding as the CEC. It's a fairly significant difference. I have also owned an older Cambridge (D500SE), and if memory serves, it would easily outperform the Panasonic BRP.

I know nothing of the Emotiva model.

cnh

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

I'd go with the Jolida as well. And I can add that I've run CDs on a Pioneer blu-ray player with Wolfson DACs and things were pretty good. I then picked up an HK HD990 which shares some internal processing with the Cambridge Audio 8XX series.

The one thing you notice immediately is that as good as the Pioneer sounds. The HK reveals more sound and detail.

The Jolida puts out a more lush, warmer and slightly more pleasing sound. Because of its tube architecture. Whereas the specs for the HK far exceed the Jolida. The HK is still all digital, lacking that analog smoothness of a tube player.

Listen to a few CDPs and you will find that they all have their own strengths and weaknesses...which can be quite eye-opening and even surprising!

cnh

tonyb

Another vote for the Jolida. Also look into cabling if you haven't already. It does make a difference.

erniejade

I have a denon dvd player w sacd now fro regular cd's it does a good job but, next to my Jolida, to me the difference is night and day. The jolida does have ei tubes and a AQ nrg4 power cord on it but, I think even if it didnt, the sound would be better out of it. More musical, more bass, cleaner highs, not as well... digital sounding i guess is the word I am looking at. Besides that, if you dont like the sound out of the jolida, just change the tubes and not the unit!!

heiney9

Yes a cdp will make a difference over a dvdp.

I'd use the reverse order in which you listed them as best, better, good.

H9

Obsession18

tonyb wrote: »

Another vote for the Jolida. Also look into cabling if you haven't already. It does make a difference.

I am currently using a 4' long Monster M650i interconnect between my pre/pro and my power amp, seems like a quality item. I'm also using 12 gauge monprice speaker wire with banana terminations. HDMI for the blue ray.

The Jolida is very tempting, particularly right now with the lower pricing I saw quoted in a thread on the Electronics forum.

zingo

If I was buying strictly a CD player (not SACD playback), I would go with the Audio-gd CD-7. It's strictly a transport, but looks fantastic and the reviews are nothing but excellent. It is a little pricey at $1150, but I find no reason to use more than a transport if you have a good DAC.

A Primare CD player is also excellent.

Obsession18

zingo wrote: »

If I was buying strictly a CD player (not SACD playback), I would go with the Audio-gd CD-7. It's strictly a transport, but looks fantastic and the reviews are nothing but excellent. It is a little pricey at $1150, but I find no reason to use more than a transport if you have a good DAC.

A Primare CD player is also excellent.

That is really a sweet looking piece of equipment, I appreciate the advice. I must admit, I am somewhat of a novice concerning this stuff. The DAC (dig to analog converter) is a separate piece of equipment correct? Unfortunately I am limited with regards to space, my system also shares home theater duty.

danger boy

none of that matters.. cables make the biggest difference. ha ha ha!

zingo

If your system shares home theater duty, there is not much better than a Primare player. I had one for a while and sold it only because it did not support SACD; fantastic build quality, sound quality, and good resale value.

cnh

Lasareath wrote: »

Welcome to Club Polk!!!

Here's some very nice prices on some Jolida's

http://jolida.net/buyonline.htm

Everyone raves about the JD100, I wonder how good their other more expensive CD players sound?, Because the JD100 is their bottom of the line player.

The Jolida Music Van CDP can run with most CDPs in its price range and many at twice the price. With a tube pre and amp some of the best I've heard.

Primare also a wonderful player! Heard those last year.

cnh

reeltrouble1

there are many many players better than a primare so no need to get wrapped around that particular one of many..

c is for cookie.

esoteric is better

you made a nice choice with the jolida or the cambridge, enjoy your music.

if you need a dac then you generally have a POS player. Some extreme hi end transports require a dac.

different strokes and nobody likes their baby called ugly.

have fun

RT1

Toolfan66

My next upgrade is a CD player!!!!

cnh

Ted's got a point. Although we're about the same age. He's much older in Audio Years. My only experience with Esoteric is 'reviews'. But I do agree that a good CDP should not really need DAC support.

If you put enough into your player you should be happy with it. I know the handful of Tube-CDPs I've heard were all good enough and I'm sure there are even better out there but I'm not sure my ears could discern the better from the best. My frequencies above 14khz are not there any more--and I would imagine many of you are also losing your top end? And it's only going to get worse with time. lol

cnh

Jetmaker737

cnh wrote: »

The Jolida Music Van CDP can run with most CDPs in its price range and many at twice the price. With a tube pre and amp some of the best I've heard.

The Music Van intrigues me. Especially with the current pricing. If the JD100 is the bottom line player (and it's excellent IMHO) I wonder how much improved the sound would be from the MV. Unfortunately there's no info on it whatsoever.

newrival

how about this?

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1302204866&/Cayin-SCD-50T-sacd/cd-tube-pla

doctor r

Another thought

http://http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1302562079&/Lector-CDP0.6-Tube-CD

danger boy

a stand alone DAC can really improve ANY CD player.. high end or not...

indyhawg

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

My next upgrade is a CD player!!!!

Mine too.

george daniel

lots of good choices,,,it warrants saying again,,,"it all starts with the source",,, source,source,and source.

TroyD

I had the Jolida for quite awhile and for CD playback it is tough to beat. Get one, find some Ei Gold Pin tubes....hook it up with a good quality power cord (ie Signal Cable)...and you are done.

BDT

Obsession18

I've decided to go with the Jolida, I'm going to purchase it through Jolida.net. I must admit though I'm a little apprehensive with the situation between Jolida.com and Jolida.net. The purchasing procedure with Jolida.net is a little different then what I'm accustomed to, but for $559 I'm willing to see it through.

I really like the idea of swapping out the tubes to vary the sound, and the price seems right, the tubes run about $20 to $30 for a pair (of course some are high dollar).

I'm also going to purchase some interconnects from either Blue Jeans or Signal Cable, I'm leaning toward the Signal Cable Analog 2's.

cnh

Lasareath wrote: »

I wish Jolida made an SACD player then I'd replace my Denon 3910.

I lobbied for just such a device on my visit to their factory last year! Tried to point out that there 'is'/'would be' a niche market for a nice tube SACD/CD player. Not sure they 'processed' it, though?

cnh

cnh

Obsession18 wrote: »

I've decided to go with the Jolida, I'm going to purchase it through Jolida.net. I must admit though I'm a little apprehensive with the situation between Jolida.com and Jolida.net. The purchasing procedure with Jolida.net is a little different then what I'm accustomed to, but for $559 I'm willing to see it through.

I really like the idea of swapping out the tubes to vary the sound, and the price seems right, the tubes run about $20 to $30 for a pair (of course some are high dollar).

I'm also going to purchase some interconnects from either Blue Jeans or Signal Cable, I'm leaning toward the Signal Cable Analog 2's.

EVERY JOLIDA JD100 that anyone here actually has WAS manufactured at this very plant. You're good. Except for shipping, perhaps. But I've seen that too. They DOUBLE BOX and use reinforced heavy cardboard corner inserts. For more edge protection.

cnh

yepimonfire

tonyb wrote: »

Another vote for the Jolida. Also look into cabling if you haven't already. It does make a difference.

no it won't :rolleyes:

acmf74

I should be getting mine today (JD100) and plan on using some new Signal cables that I have laying around.

Obsession18

acmf74 wrote: »

I should be getting mine today (JD100) and plan on using some new Signal cables that I have laying around.

Did you also order it through Jolida.net?

acmf74

Yes... Jolida.net

I will post pics when it comes.

acmf74

Well it came today double boxed by DHL in MINT condition. I got the black model with the silk screen screen logo. It powered up and started the burn in process of the player and Signal cables. Even though it's new it definitely sounds alot smoother than my old CDP and removed a good amount of the digital harshness.

If anyone is a little skeptical about ordering from Jolida.NET don't be. They replied to every email quickly and seem to be a top notch company to deal with.

Obsession18

acmf74 wrote: »

Well it came today double boxed by DHL in MINT condition. I got the black model with the silk screen screen logo. It powered up and started the burn in process of the player and Signal cables. Even though it's new it definitely sounds alot smoother than my old CDP and removed a good amount of the digital harshness.

If anyone is a little skeptical about ordering from Jolida.NET don't be. They replied to every email quickly and seem to be a top notch company to deal with.

I'm curious, did you have to be home for DHL to deliver or did they leave it on your doorstep?

So far my experience with Jolida.net has also been positive, quick replies to all my emails. I'm wondering how long this current price is going to last, because this is a killer deal.