Tosh 3960 DVD player
TroyD
Posts: 13,092
I bought one of these things while I was gone and finally got around to messing with it today. I actually hooked it up a couple of days ago and have been letting it play but today I sat down to do some serious listening.
I have it hooked up to my CJ PV-7 / Carver Silver 9t's/ Carver Amazing rig.
Mind you, I've not done any mods, this is completely stock but I've got to say that I'm pretty impressed with it compared to my AMC CD8b which is my 'reference' player.
Out of the box, I gotta admit, I wasn't expecting a lot. It's thin, weighs next to nothing, not exceptional fit and finish. A cheapie DVD player, whaddya expect, right?
So, anyway, I happen to have 2 copies of Shawn Mullins Soul Core, one of my fave demo discs. Well recorded, not overly busy so it's easy to focus on subtle issues so that's what I did most of my comparisons with just flipping back and forth on the preamp. The biggest difference is in soundstaging. The AMC presents a larger, more 3D soundstage. A bit more air between instruments. The Tosh, everything is there, definition is good, everything sounds as it should. Cymbals sound like they should (albeit a TAD less crisp than the AMC). IMO, that's what I listen to is metal percussion as I feel that's a dead giveaway to a poor source. The Pioneer universal that I had, the sound was just dreadful on metal percussion. So the fact that the Tosh was a tad duller rather than the opposite is, indeed, a good thing.
Other than that, I have no gripes. The soundstaging wasn't bad, just not as good as the AMC. Highs seemed a little dull and perhaps rolled off. Other than that, no major gripes.
All in all, unless you are paying close attention, there is very little difference which, IMO, is a good thing. For 75 bones or so, it's hard to beat.
BDT
I have it hooked up to my CJ PV-7 / Carver Silver 9t's/ Carver Amazing rig.
Mind you, I've not done any mods, this is completely stock but I've got to say that I'm pretty impressed with it compared to my AMC CD8b which is my 'reference' player.
Out of the box, I gotta admit, I wasn't expecting a lot. It's thin, weighs next to nothing, not exceptional fit and finish. A cheapie DVD player, whaddya expect, right?
So, anyway, I happen to have 2 copies of Shawn Mullins Soul Core, one of my fave demo discs. Well recorded, not overly busy so it's easy to focus on subtle issues so that's what I did most of my comparisons with just flipping back and forth on the preamp. The biggest difference is in soundstaging. The AMC presents a larger, more 3D soundstage. A bit more air between instruments. The Tosh, everything is there, definition is good, everything sounds as it should. Cymbals sound like they should (albeit a TAD less crisp than the AMC). IMO, that's what I listen to is metal percussion as I feel that's a dead giveaway to a poor source. The Pioneer universal that I had, the sound was just dreadful on metal percussion. So the fact that the Tosh was a tad duller rather than the opposite is, indeed, a good thing.
Other than that, I have no gripes. The soundstaging wasn't bad, just not as good as the AMC. Highs seemed a little dull and perhaps rolled off. Other than that, no major gripes.
All in all, unless you are paying close attention, there is very little difference which, IMO, is a good thing. For 75 bones or so, it's hard to beat.
BDT
I plan for the future. - F1Nut
Post edited by TroyD on
Comments
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I just picked up one of these to see what all the talk is about....$70 at BB. Dang is the unit cheap in feel and look and....
As to sound, cant really tell as I dont have a good comparison unit. I may return this and get the HK DVD 22 as it is built better but it is $200.
Troy, quick Q, are you using the digital coax or analog? If using digital coax, I am effectively bypassing the DA converters in teh Toshiba so it should sound pretty much the same as any other unit with at digital coax right? What do you think?
DanSystem 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300
System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES
System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps
System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD -
I'm just using the analog outs....if you use the digital out, the sound is going to depend on the DAC's in the receiver/processor that you are using.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
Sure, if you need a good 2ch source on the cheap, look no further.
I'd really like to hear a modded one but, honestly, I'm really happy with the cd players that I have.
I'm looking at a Sony ES SACD player so this is moving out to make way for it, hoping to close escrow on one before the Polkfest.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut
