Do I need a high end cd player?

robert0507
robert0507 Posts: 148
edited March 2013 in Speakers
So I am all set with my speakers. I have a pair of lsim speakers for front speakers and the 706c for center. Now I am thinking am I doing these speakers justice with 256kbs iTunes music or should I get a high end cd player. Will I notice a difference? I'm thinking about going with an emotiva erc2 player.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,735
    edited March 2013
    It all starts with the source, garbage in equals garbage out. That said, if you are using an AVR for music, it will limit the benefit of a better source. I'm sure I'll catch flack for this, while that CDP will sound better than your current source, it is not high end.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • vinyladdict
    vinyladdict Posts: 32
    edited March 2013
    I would, I use a higher end Marantz CD player. It sounds great. A good vinyl record on a good turntable sounds even better!!
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,655
    edited March 2013
    If you aren't afraid of the used market, there are FAR better CDP options out there for far less money. And that's with first-hand experience with the Emo player. My current Pioneer Elite DV-47a plays DVD-A, CDs and SACDs and was picked up on Craigslist for $50.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,092
    edited March 2013
    Sheesh...they still make CD players? Get yourself a SONOS or Squeezebox & start enjoying your musical journey. And don't pay any attention about the AVR not delivering the goods. Hell those guys that believe that still use CD players, what the hell do they know. :cheesygrin:
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    Lasareath wrote: »
    Here's a Great one. It's the same one I have, Only 500 were made!

    I'd hold out for one in better shape. Mine was 9/10, maybe 9.5/10 and I paid $1850!! :)

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/cd-sacd-players-musical-fidelity-kw-sacd-player-2013-03-03-digital-94044


    Nope not willing to pay that much. I think what I am going to do is just rip the cds using a high end encoder. then stream it through my AVR. I have an onkyo 3008. That should be good enough
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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited March 2013
    Sure they still make CD players, but they put a big label 'Blue Ray Disc' on them to confuse audiophiles.
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    Lasareath wrote: »
    LOL, Both my disc players play SACDs, Only one plays Blu-Ray.

    Personally if I started right now I would never have set up this system:

    [video=youtube_share;xWe6LGfrm9E]http://youtu.be/xWe6LGfrm9E[/video]

    I would set up 5 to 8 Zones of SONOS in my house and I wouldn't rip my CDs, I'd use rdio.com and/or my existing iTunes/iCloud match.

    The cost it takes to create that room above for me is not cost effective (hopefully my wife does not see this! LOL) I just don't have the time to sit and enjoy SACDs and listen to my SDA effect.

    I'm usually running around like a crazy loon and music all over the house works much better.

    Currently I have 5 zones of SONOS, 2 Connects to connect to my Existing Stereo Systems, 2 PLAY5's to bring where I need music, 1 Connect Amp that I use in the living room with a small pair of Polks I had laying around.

    When I first got the SONOS I started ripping all my CDs and then my wife said "Hey I have a rdio.com account, why don't you just use it instead of ripping CDs?" and you know what?, She was correct. Spooling from rdio.com for $10 a month is so much easier.

    I only really need to rip the obscure CDs that they don't have, And Led Zepplin, They don't have rights to LED ZEPPLIN!!!!


    Damn now that's a setup....my wife is going to HATE YOU...LOL...TIME TO HIT UP AUDIOGON!!!
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    ok ok must put credit card away..must put cred....noooo.....lol:mrgreen:
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2013
    Actually, that Emotiva is supposed to be a decent player. Yeah, it's not High End but it's OK. I find Onkyos, and I own one (maybe not a 300X but the old 805 is sonically, believe it or not, at least in two channel, not that far from the much more expensive 3008!), to be a little BRIGHT on the top end regardless of what CDP you use? So F1nut has a good point.

    When I do two channel for critical listening, I almost always run the Jolida tube products below. The CDP is very nice, with good tubes it will rival units at twice its price and it's NOT cheap at over 1.3K MSRP. Excluding "tube" upgrades, that is!

    At this point, I have too much invested in "tube" equipment to abandon the CD format and SONOS myself DAC-NAM style into the 21st century. And I'm not sure that would "sound" better, in any case! I've heard some very nice DACs in that 1K-1.5K range and I still prefer my CDP to them, more "warmth", more musical!

    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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  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited March 2013
    Lasareath wrote: »

    When I first got the SONOS I started ripping all my CDs and then my wife said "Hey I have a rdio.com account, why don't you just use it instead of ripping CDs?" and you know what?, She was correct. Spooling from rdio.com for $10 a month is so much easier.

    I only really need to rip the obscure CDs that they don't have, And Led Zepplin, They don't have rights to LED ZEPPLIN!!!!


    Sal, what's the sound quality like on rdio.com ? I couldn't find any technical info.

    Thanks.

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
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    Pro-Ject debut
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  • cheezy
    cheezy Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    robert0507 wrote: »
    Do I need a high end cd player?
    No.
    So I am all set with my speakers. I have a pair of lsim speakers for front speakers and the 706c for center. Now I am thinking am I doing these speakers justice with 256kbs iTunes music or should I get a high end cd player. Will I notice a difference? I'm thinking about going with an emotiva erc2 player.
    320 kbps mp3's or lossless WAV will be just fine. Instead of getting a high-end CD player, I would invest on a nice set of power cables for your amp (receiver) since you're running passive.


    cheezie
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    why power cables
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    I am looking to pickup a outlaw audio mono amp model 200m. its 200 watts. If I can score three of these I will use them for the LCR. Anyone has an opinion on these?
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited March 2013
    I have an outlaw and I like it.

    Cheezy, leave people alone.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited March 2013
    cheezy wrote: »
    No.


    320 kbps mp3's or lossless WAV will be just fine. Instead of getting a high-end CD player, I would invest on a nice set of power cables for your amp (receiver) since you're running passive.


    cheezie
    Worst advice ever, ignore him he sells 50k power cables.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited March 2013
    cheezy wrote: »
    No.


    320 kbps mp3's or lossless WAV will be just fine. Instead of getting a high-end CD player, I would invest on a nice set of power cables for your amp (receiver) since you're running passive.


    cheezie

    Seriously? The guy is looking to improve his sound and you're telling him that his best bet is to play lossy music with expensive power cables? Go away troll.
    B Run wrote: »
    Worst advice ever, ignore him he sells 50k power cables.

    +1
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited March 2013
    cheezy wrote: »
    320 kbps mp3's or lossless WAV will be just fine. Instead of getting a high-end CD player, I would invest on a nice set of power cables for your amp (receiver) since you're running passive.


    cheezie

    Rare is the occasion that anyone should take advice from someone who misspells their own screen name when signing off. :rolleyes:
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    robert, Oppo is kind of the default for an all-in-one solution right now. You could look at a new 103, or go a few years back and get an 83-SE. There are two right now on the 'gon for roughly $450. The difference is in the DAC. If you just want a standalone CDP at a few bills, you might look into the Rotel RCD-1072. I've personally never heard one, but I have seen many people whose ears I respect promote this product.

    An alternative route is to go computer-based and just get you a DAC w/ async USB. This option is what led me to the 105 being my next source. It's a universal player and damn near replaces your receiver. It has 2 HDMI inputs as well as an async USB input that utillizes the Sabre chip. Its likely out of your budget at $1200 though.



    PS - your speakers will never shine on that Onkyo, especially for music. Just sayin.

    ok so do you think the oppo 103 would be worth it. Or can I go with an older oppo like the 83 and still have a decent "DAC"

    How would that bypass my onkyo 3008 avr?....
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    I actually have my music coming from my pc via hdmi on my 680 gtx video card.
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited March 2013
    yeah I am about to buy the 103. Now I need a second sub. I have hsu vtf ho with the turbo add on. I am thinking about adding the mbm mid bass sub to this for the 80 to 50 Hz range.
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