Music

boomerfss

Hi.

I just upgraded my sound system and have started listening to my cd's again. I found that several of my old CD's are scratched and some don't work so I need to replace them.

I am putting some thought into the best way to go about replacing them. I am not sure whether I should try to find a site that does quality downloads and stick to digital, or go out looking for a turntable and albums.

In the past I have downloaded lots of MP3's, but I am unhappy with the quality.

My questions are:

1. What is a good site to download quality music (better than MP3 format)? I like all kinds of music, but mostly older stuff.

2. What is a DAC and is it worth investing in one?

3. Is it better to go back to analog?

Thanks for any advice.

Jim.

TORI3

boomerfss wrote: »

1. What is a good site to download quality music (better than MP3 format)? I like all kinds of music, but mostly older stuff.

I've been pretty happy with HD Tracks. They have somewhat of a limited selection, but they have a pretty good range of formats.

Here's a pretty good article that runs down the list of high-quality audio download services.

Hope this helps!

boomerfss

Thanks. I looked at those sites, and you are right, they don't have much selection.

Seems like an untapped market. I have money to spend to buy good quality and no where to spend it. It still seems like the industry has no idea what it is doing. :frown:

Erik Tracy

boomerfss wrote: »

Hi.

I just upgraded my sound system and have started listening to my cd's again. I found that several of my old CD's are scratched and some don't work so I need to replace them.

I am putting some thought into the best way to go about replacing them. I am not sure whether I should try to find a site that does quality downloads and stick to digital, or go out looking for a turntable and albums.

In the past I have downloaded lots of MP3's, but I am unhappy with the quality.

My questions are:

1. What is a good site to download quality music (better than MP3 format)? I like all kinds of music, but mostly older stuff.

2. What is a DAC and is it worth investing in one?

3. Is it better to go back to analog?

Thanks for any advice.

Jim.

Have you tried some of the CD recovery kits/polishes to see if you can get some of your CDs to work again?

Sorry to hear about that - always a bummer. I'm not a download type of guy - prefer to just buy and play. Lots of sites to buy CDs off of.

A DAC is a "Digital to Analog Converter" - used for digital players, such as CDs or SACD (or even DVD and PC sound cards). A good dedicated DAC can offer better sound quality over a standard all in one CD player.

Is it better to go back to analog? Well it is all ultimately analog at the final stage from amp to speaker.

I'm not a fanboy of any type of media whether it be vinyl, CD, SACD, etc - I have all of them - what matters to me is the quality of the album I want: if its on vinyl I'll get it, or SACD, or even CD.

It then becomes a matter of choosing what components to get which will maximize the sonic experience while keeping a mindful eye on 'system synergy' because some components work better together for the type of sound one is seeking.

That probably was not of any help, but well...

boomerfss

Thanks Erik. You were a lot of help.

It turns out my receiver (Onkyo HT-RC180) does not have multi-channel analog inputs. The review says it cannot have a DAC hooked up to it. A little strange given that it is new and probably should have the inputs for the price range it is in.

That means using my PS3 as a cd player and media streaming device for now. I know my PS3 is not one of the ones with an SACD player.

Any other advice for the best way to play music on this set up?

Tks.

Erik Tracy

boomerfss wrote: »

Thanks Erik. You were a lot of help.

It turns out my receiver (Onkyo HT-RC180) does not have multi-channel analog inputs. The review says it cannot have a DAC hooked up to it. A little strange given that it is new and probably should have the inputs for the price range it is in.

That means using my PS3 as a cd player and media streaming device for now. I know my PS3 is not one of the ones with an SACD player.

Any other advice for the best way to play music on this set up?

Tks.

Right - saw that your Onkyo does not have multi-channel analog inputs - so that means you should connect your PS3 up via HDMI which will allow you to get multi-channels thru the Onkyo and to your speakers.

Where a DAC might be of benefit would be FROM the output of a source component - like a CD player or a Stereo SACD player, or even your computer TO the analog inputs of the Onkyo.

Of course, if you did have an external DAC in such a configuration, you would want to use a setting on the Onkyo to keep the signal analog thru the Onkyo to your speakers - some AVR's term this mode "Pure Direct" or "Direct" or some such mode.

Otherwise, the AVR would convert the analog inputs back to digital, apply various/selected digital processing modes, then convert it back to analog at the speaker outputs - such a chain of converting and reconverting would defeat the purpose of a 'high quality' external DAC.

I would first hook up your PS3 via HDMI to your Onkyo and then just enjoy the music. If you then find the quality wanting or if you want to try a different player, then do your homework to pick a player that meets your budget, has the features you want, and try to listen to one to see if it has the sound you are looking for.

Music Joe

boomerfss wrote: »

Hi.

I just upgraded my sound system and have started listening to my cd's again. I found that several of my old CD's are scratched and some don't work so I need to replace them.

I am putting some thought into the best way to go about replacing them.

Jim.

I've had great success by burning copies of unplayable discs. The computer's drive works a little harder getting the bits off, but it does. Once done I just toss the copy in with the original in its jewel case.

boomerfss

Thanks Erik.

boomerfss

Music Joe wrote: »

I've had great success by burning copies of unplayable discs. The computer's drive works a little harder getting the bits off, but it does. Once done I just toss the copy in with the original in its jewel case.

Thanks Music Joe (MJ?). I will give that a try.