Should I upgrade my CD/DVD/SACD Player?

JcM

I currently use my computer as my music source. I have a sound blaster audigy 2 zs platinum pro. I encode all my music in WMA lossless and play it off my 300gig HD. I use the Digital Coax output. I also use the analouge outs for SACD and DVD Audio. Is there really a big differnece in upgrading to a good $500 CD player?

My dealer can get me good deals on NAD and HK gear, but I don't know where to start.

Thanks,

Julian

TheGrayGhost

How do you get SACD to play on a computer? I don't believe a CD-ROM drive and operating system can read the SACD file format.

JcM

From my knowledge of SACD you're right, i only have one SACD and there is a layer called "redbook" from my understanding, and this i can play on my computer. But this is a hybrid SACD and i cant play back the "real" audio layer of the SACD on my computer. My 5.1 channel is mostly DVD audio.

Sorry I didn't make that clear earlier, and thanks for pointing out my mistake.

Julian

Danny Tse

What's often referred to as "redbook" is simply another term for the regular CD. On a hybrid SACD, there're 2 layers....the regular CD layer and the hi-rez, meaning SACD, layer. If the SACD also contains a surround-sound mix, then both hi-rez stereo and the hi-rez surround-sound mix is on that layer. Almost all SACDs have a dedicated stereo mix, so nothing will be downmixed for a 2 channel mode.

So basically what you are trying to do is comparing the playback of that hybrid SACD's CD layer on your computer vs. playback on a $500.00 dedicated CD player. Will this $500.00 machine be one that will playback SACD and/or DVD-A?

I will say a $500.00 dedicated CD player will have no problem delivering better performance than a typical computer. I suppose it also depends on what you have doing the processing inside that computer.

F1nut

My .02, forget the computer and the NAD or HK cdp's. Get something like a Jolida JD100 or a AH! for around $600.00 used. Both have a tube output stage, you won't look back.

dorokusai

When did you become a tube authority? It's amazing what a tube CDP does for one's psyche eh?

You can purchase alot of tube pre's with a tube output stage, and work the same result, for less.

EDIT: I digress, since your application is computer oriented, just pick up a cheap universal player and experiement. There is simply no need to invest alot of money into something new to you.

F1nut

You seem to forget that I have had a tube SACD/CD player and tube pre amp stage longer than you have owned a tube anything.

dorokusai

I correct you sir, as when you have tubes you can SWAP....you have tubes IMO. The Anthem was present prior to your MF, sorry broham. It was my first foray into tubes but not my first experience. You're memory must think I'm new to audio or something.

And in addition, you are not on my level when it comes to tubes, sorry man, but you lost that advantage a long time ago.

I know that you want to embrace the tube CDP theory, but it's not a belief on this side, and we can't always agree.

EDIT: I edited the thought about F1 wanting to embrace the tube CDP theory. I know that he finds a benefit, and I respect that fact....I obviously disagree.

I know Jesse's ears, as delicious as they are, are of value to me personally. We are just audio nuts, and while we may not agree on certain points of this hobby, doesn't mean we don't enjoy the same end result. We disagree, we agree, but we're still friends with common interests....it's a win win situation.

Please dont read this as a pissing contest, it may be, but we still enjoy one anothers company very much. I like to snuggle and he likes to pretend it never happened

F1nut

Nope...sorry, tubes are tubes as in you either have tubes in the piece or you don't. As for experience, I grew up with a mono tube amp listening to vinyl, later I spent a vast amount of time listening to a Fisher tube pre amp, a McIntosh tube amp and more vinyl at my, home away from home, friends house.

I don't think you're new at this and yes you have rolled a lot of tubes in various pre amps, but you haven't tried a tube cdp that I'm aware of.

You will also note I started my original comment with, "My .02" and as that may be all it's worth there's no reason to question my experience or opinion.

XOXO

TroyD

Hey, if we all liked the same stuff, what would be the point?

In MY rig a tube CD player made a substantial difference. Not as much as a tube preamp will, IMO, however it brought my rig to a new level.

BDT

Toxis

Should you upgrade? Seeing you don't have an SACD player and a computer processes CD's/DVD's worse than a $20 dvd player does... YES!!!! UPGRADE AND DON'T LOOK BACK! If you don't mind the used market, find an old Denon DVD-2900 or a new 2910. You'll thank me.

dorokusai

Originally posted by F1nut
Nope...sorry, tubes are tubes as in you either have tubes in the piece or you don't. As for experience, I grew up with a mono tube amp listening to vinyl, later I spent a vast amount of time listening to a Fisher tube pre amp, a McIntosh tube amp and more vinyl at my, home away from home, friends house.

I don't think you're new at this and yes you have rolled a lot of tubes in various pre amps, but you haven't tried a tube cdp that I'm aware of.

You will also note I started my original comment with, "My .02" and as that may be all it's worth there's no reason to question my experience or opinion.

XOXO

Tubes aren't tubes Jesse, but again we are at an impass. You may want to read some more about circuit and tube design, in addition to your Wood Jedi Monthly.

If I wanted a tube CDP, I'd simply buy one. If I thought it would be beneficial to me, since I have the ability to read and comprehend, I'd simply buy one. If I thought that it was so amazing when I heard one....or two....or three....again, I'd simply buy one.

I will not be buying a tube CDP, based on the same information that you DID buy yours.

It's simply not a fascination for me, Polk Ogre.

When are you going to A/B the MF with the Jolida?

Early B.

In MY rig a tube CD player made a substantial difference.

This statement sort of sums it up. I like tubes in every component. No downside there and definitely not a waste of money.