Blu-Ray or CD player???

Geoff4rfc
Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,805
edited April 2011 in Electronics
I listen to my CD's on my blu ray player. Would I benefit from using an actual CD player?

Thanks
Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
Post edited by Geoff4rfc on
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2011
    Geoff4rfc wrote: »
    I listen to my CD's on my blu ray player. Would I benefit from using an actual CD player?

    Thanks

    Depends.

    If you currently have your blu ray player digitally connected (hdmi, coax, or optical) to your AVR (or receiver) and plan on doing the same for a CD player (coax/optical)- then probably not - since the AVR (or receiver) is doing the important digital-to-analog conversion.

    If you have the blu ray player connected via analog cables (rca), and you plan on doing the same for a CD player - then you may benefit from a CD player if its build quality and the components used are better than the blu ray player.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Obsession18
    Obsession18 Posts: 191
    edited April 2011
    Yes, a good CD player will provide better sound quality then a blu ray player provided the CD player is connected analog. I was originally listening to CD's via an HDMI connected Panasonic blu ray and made the switch to a Jolida JD-100 CD player connected via analog cables (rca). I noticed the following improvements:

    Tighter bass.
    More detailed highs.
    The music just sounded better all around.

    I further improved upon the above by changing out the tubes in the Jolida.
    2-Channel System
    Analog: VPI Traveler TT, Audio Technica 150MLX, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS
    CD Player: Jolida JD-100 Preamp: Cambridge 840E Amp: Odyssey Kismet Stereo
    Spkrs: Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature Systems
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,805
    edited April 2011
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Depends.

    If you currently have your blu ray player digitally connected (hdmi, coax, or optical) to your AVR (or receiver) and plan on doing the same for a CD player (coax/optical)- then probably not - since the AVR (or receiver) is doing the important digital-to-analog conversion.

    If you have the blu ray player connected via analog cables (rca), and you plan on doing the same for a CD player - then you may benefit from a CD player if its build quality and the components used are better than the blu ray player.

    My bluray player is connected to my AVR with HDMI. I have an LGBD390. The CD player I was considering is the Onk C-S5VL. The onk has super audio compact disc capability, the LG doesn't.

    I could run the CD player through the receiver via component, or run the CD player through the bluray.

    I guess my big question is, for playing CD's, what's better, a bluray or CD player?

    Thanks Erik for your reply.
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited April 2011
    Geoff4rfc wrote: »
    My bluray player is connected to my AVR with HDMI. I have an LGBD390. The CD player I was considering is the Onk C-S5VL. The onk has super audio compact disc capability, the LG doesn't.

    I could run the CD player through the receiver via component, or run the CD player through the bluray.

    I guess my big question is, for playing CD's, what's better, a bluray or CD player?

    Thanks Erik for your reply.

    Again - it depends.

    For example, the Oppo BDP-95 is a bluray player, but has a vastly upgraded analog section (DACs and opamps) that would probably crush alot of budget/mid-level dedicated CD players for CD playback via analog connections.

    So, there are no generalizations - it depends on the specific unit and models in question...and so, back to you to decide how much you can spend for better CD playback and then doing the homework to see if there are CD players that fit your budget that would be better than your current bluray player.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2011
    The Onkyo is OK and would be 'better' than your current set up, but Erik is also right.

    At least the Onkyo has Wolfson DACs, if I'm not mistaken.

    How much are you willing to spend...because there are some nice players in the 1000 and under price bracket. The Jolida, above, is ONE of them!

    The Oppo 95 is also a budget friendly Universal Player that has good 'internals'--in that price range!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • olilugo
    olilugo Posts: 405
    edited April 2011
    Aslo something to consider is that even when connected via hdmi, optical or digital. most dvd/blue ray players will have settings so that will either do the decoding on the player itself or send it to the AVR for decoding. this way you can choose what component have the best on board DAC.

    I think it works this way: if your AVR says PCM on it, it means the decoding is being done by the player and not the AVR. if the AVR displays the right setting like STEREO or DTS etc. then the decoding is being done by the AVR.

    I know most people say to connect via stereo analog to take full advange of true stereo when listening to CD's. I just don't know that this is totaly true with the latest AVR's and players so I will let other people comment/advise you on that...

    What I know is technology in sound/video has changed enough that what used to be the norm in the past is no longer valid today.
    Current HT setup
    Mains: B&W 804s
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surround: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Velodyne DLS-3750R
    Receiver: Pioneer SC-07
    Amplifier: Sunfire TGA5200
    TV: Sony KDS60A2020
    DBP: Sony DBP-S350
    CDP: Pioneer DV-48AV
    Interconnect cables: SignalCable analog II
    speaker cables: SignalCable Ultra Speaker Cables Bi-wire
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