CD Player Vs. DVD Player for Audio

venomclan

Hi Guys,
I plan on upgrading my CD palyer. Right now I am using a Sony CDP220-200 disk carousel. I am getting more and more into 2 channel listening and would like better sound than my Sony can give me. I was looking at some decent CD players in the 350-500 range (Cambride, MMC, etc.) but was wondering whether anyone uses a good quality DVD player for everything. DVD players in this range are starting to get better with CD playback, but I am not sure if I should have 2 seperate units for DVD and CD. I would appreciate any opinions. Thanks and Best Regards,
Jeremy

My System:
Mains RT16's
Center: CS350LS
Surround: LS/FX

Outlaw 950 Pre/Pro
Outlaw M200- monoblock amps (5)
Sony CDP220
Harman Kardon-PA5800 5 channel amp

Loud & Clear

You could get a Denon 2200 for around $500 and have the option of playing SACD & DVD-A. Just a thought.

steveinaz

DVD's can make great CD Players. If you're a "cable nut" you may not like the fact that most DVD players have a hard-wired ac cord, of course there are work-arounds for that too.

therockman

I'll second Lound & Clear's recommendation for the Denon, it gives you the option to play all the standard CDs, DVDs and also the high rez SACD and DVD-A. Of course the Pioneer 563 does the same, but the Denon is a much nicer machine.

Shizelbs

Would this be a good example of where an external DAC would come in handy? I am in a similar situation. I will be inheriting a 200 disc carousel by Sony soon, and was thinking about buying a DAC to improve the quality. It seems to me that it would be worth keeping the huge storage capacity and spending a similar amount of money on a DAC that I would otherwise spend on a new unit. I realize though that this route prevents SACD and DVD-A.

steveinaz

Originally posted by Shizelbs
Would this be a good example of where an external DAC would come in handy?

Sure. You get the best of both worlds; the convenience of a 200 disk changer and the quality of a good aftermarket DAC..why not?

venomclan

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the advice. In your opinion, can I assume that a player that can play DVD-audio and SACD's will sound better with regular CD's over players that are not DVD-Audio SACD players?

What I mean is, I have yet to cross over into the higher-grade SACD's or DVD audio, but I would like my regular CD's to sound the best they can. If I can achieve this with a DVD/SACD player also, great.

I had my eye on a new Cambridge Audio slim line DVD player at Audio Advisor for $279.00. But the Cambridge will not play dvd audio/SACD's.

I then saw a Pioneer DVD player they had for $179.00 that will play dvd audio/SACD's. I am not a big Pioneer fan generally, but at that price with those features, it looks like a great deal. Any opinions?
Jeremy

Loud & Clear

Originally posted by venomclan
In your opinion, can I assume that a player that can play DVD-audio and SACD's will sound better with regular CD's over players that are not DVD-Audio SACD players?

No. If redbooks are you primary focus, and will continue to be your primary focus, then I'd get the best redbook player you can get for your money.

shack

Originally posted by venomclan
I then saw a Pioneer DVD player they had for $179.00 that will play dvd audio/SACD's. I am not a big Pioneer fan generally, but at that price with those features, it looks like a great deal. Any opinions?
Jeremy

Here is a thread about the player you were probably looking at...

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=117263#post117263

therockman

Again, I have to agree with Loud and Clear's advice. If redbook CD playback is your primary interest, then I would go with the best dedicated CD player in the price range that you can afford. A universal player may add many features that really do not add anything to CD playback.

venomclan

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the recommendations. I was recently at Brandsmart, in S. Florida and found out that they are no longer going to carry Denon products and are clearancing thier entire Denon stock left. They had the dvd5900, 2900 and 2200. The 2200 was a demo unit with no remote or instructions. I talked them down to $350.00 and took it home last night. I have not tried movies yet, only Redbook cd's using the optical cable to my Outlaw 950. So far it sounds really good. Much better than my Sony 200 disk player. The sound is more detailed and smooth. I am sure that it does not play as well as a higher end CD player, but I am impressed so far. I hear that it is excellent on movies and sacd/dvd audio playback. I will test it further this weekend and let you know the results. Thanks guys for your help.
Best Regards,
Jeremy

F1nut

Sounds like a good deal and congrats on your purchase. One thing, get rid of that optical cable and get some nice analog interconnects.

jdavy

for what it is worth, I use my DVP-9000es for everything. I use a toslink for the dvd and cd stuff for the HT rig and use analog cables for the SDA-SRS. SACD and SDA, that is sweet sound.

therockman

Actually, IMO it is best to keep the optical toslink connection for dolby digital and DTS connection between the player and your reciever, but also add the 4 pairs of rca style analog cables. Three pairs of these rca cables will be necassary for 5.1 high resolution audio playback, and one set will be deicated for analog redbook playback. The combination of 4 pairs of analog cables and an optical toslink provide mucho playback flexability. I actually use my Sony combo SACD/DVD/CD player with this set up, and you will be surprised the difference this connectivity offers. My Sony player (DVP-NS755) only cost me about $250, but the cables that connect it to my system cost about $500. I have 4 pairs of Monster THX 800 series rca style analog cables, cost about $80 each, the Monster THX 1000 optical cable, cost about $70, and the Monster THX 1000 component video cable, cost about $120. But with this array of cables, my player is HOOKED UP to my system.