Can a bad CD player cause your speakers to distort?

crazy
crazy Posts: 443
edited May 2006 in Electronics
I've been noticing some distortion when playing at slightly high volumes ... can a CD player cause this?

I'm using B&W 804s speakers along with Krell 400Xi integrated amplifier.

The CD player that I'm using is an old $100 Toshiba DVD player.

It doesn't sound bad but I've noticed that at slightly high volumes, there seems to be some slight distortion and a little boominess in the bass (bass is not crisp).

At low volumes it plays fine but at higher volumes, I've been noticing these issues. Is this due to my CD player or could it be due to the speaker/ integrated amp???
Distant Dream - A New Beginning
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2006
    Reads to me like what you are experiencing is acoustical feedback through the Tosh (or some other piece of gear).

    Since increasing your Krell's volume setting in no way alters the Tosh's output level, something else is impacting the signal quality... and sound waves are the obvious choice.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,802
    edited April 2006
    Can a bad CD player cause your speakers to distort?

    Of course! Garbage in, garbage out.
    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."

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  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited April 2006
    Could be line noise. Do you have a power conditioner?

    The thing with cheap players is they lack any kind of noise filtering from the mains. You can't even replace the powercords to alleviate this flaw.
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,802
    edited April 2006
    It's a $100 Toshiba DVD player. 'Nuff said!!!
    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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  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited April 2006
    Lol! I got one of those before. It kept freezing for a few seconds and not on specific scenes. It also warms up just by being plugged. Replaced it with higher model and problems went away.

    Stick with a dedicated CD player for music. :)
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2006
    F1nut wrote:
    It's a $100 Toshiba DVD player. 'Nuff said!!!
    Then why doesn't it sound like crap all the time?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,802
    edited April 2006
    Maybe because at low volumes he doesn't notice it?
    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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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2006
    Possible, but not likely, IMO, since the S/N ratio of the Tosh is a constant.

    Seems to me that there's acoustic feedback in play. Haven't you sorbaned (sp?) your high-dollar CDP to cut down on that very possibility?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,802
    edited April 2006
    Distortion is hard to hear at low volumes, but rears it's ugly head at higher levels.

    Hell no, it weighs 60lbs. and there is zero acoustic feedback.
    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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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2006
    Distortion that grows disproportionally with increasing volume relative to the signal, yes, but not the case here as I am reading it.

    Obviously I'm a CDP generation (or two) behind your current holding. Must be time for a road trip so I can catch up. But I'm sure you've acoustically deadened CDP's past... as well as other electronics.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,802
    edited April 2006
    Hmmmm...quess we're reading it differently.

    You're correct, I have and do recommend Dynamat on any piece of gear that when pinged with a fingernail, causes a ringing sound. I've got so much Dynamat in the Jolida cdp that it gained 5lbs, but the MF is acoustically inert.
    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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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2006
    Crazy,

    Why on earth would you spend all that $$$ on Krell and B & W only to have a $100 front end? Get rid of that Tosh ASAP and your troubles will be solved.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited April 2006
    hmmm..........Very well could be the Tosh the way I hear it. I doubt that musical signal has a discreet path, much shielding and so on. Like any statistical spec the noise/floor ratio rating worries me since stats can be manipulated.

    my experience has certainly been that an excellent source will improve a system with other quality gear.

    RT1
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2006
    heiney9 wrote:
    Why on earth would you spend all that $$$ on Krell and B & W only to have a $100 front end?
    Possibly because he spent all that $$$ on Krell and B&W??? Ya think??? ;)

    crazy,
    Please say more about your set up.. What's the Tosh sitting upon, e.g., wood wall shelf? Is your rig 2 ch, music only or part of an HT rig? Etc...

    Try acoustically isolating your Tosh, even if only thing immediately available is a couple, soft pillows (one to sit it on, one to lay over it). If problem lessens or dissppears we can figure out where to go from there.

    That said, ultimately I agree with my esteemed colleagues. The rest of your gear obviously out classes your Tosh, so ultimately you should, and no doubt will, upgrade it. But if you can make the Tosh palletable for now and maybe until the CD format war dust settles, that would not be a bad thing.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited April 2006
    Folks - thanks for all your responses and feedback.

    I finally found out why the distortion - bad speakers :eek:

    Yeah, I picked up demo speakers and they were apparently tested thoroughly. Apparently not!

    I tested them using the Krell SACD standard player and $1000 siltech cables (interconnects) and found the same issue. I also attached an iPod using decent interconnect just to check it out - same issue with the distortion.

    The problem is extremely wierd. When I put it on in the morning, it has significant distortion even at low volumes. But after playing for around 15-20 minutes it disappears completely giving a very smooth sound. Then say I come back after 7-8 hours and put it on, same issue. It almost seems like the speaker or something needs time to "warm-up".

    Well, I spoke to store I purchased it from and I'm returning these speakers for either brand new speakers or something else.

    I've used the best electronics possible and tried everything from switching the wires around etc. etc. and the problem still exists.

    I will be upgrading to the Rotel RCD-1072 as soon as I can get some cash in hand :)
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited April 2006
    Man, that's a bummer. I hope they're more than willing to hope resolve your issue.

    And glad to hear you'll be picking up a RCD-1072 soon. You should be quite pleased with it!
    George Grand wrote: »
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    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,802
    edited April 2006
    Hmmm.........
    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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  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited April 2006
    audiobliss wrote:
    Man, that's a bummer. I hope they're more than willing to hope resolve your issue.

    And glad to hear you'll be picking up a RCD-1072 soon. You should be quite pleased with it!

    Yeah it's been a looooong road to audio bliss :)

    Today was especially a bad day given the fact that I found out that the speakers were bad.
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited April 2006
    Hope it works out for you. It would be disappointing to have to get soemthing other than the B & W's you seem to like so much. What's the chance of the store getting those fixed under warranty? The Rotel would be a nice unit to replace the Tosh with. All this damn hobby takes is a steady stream of $$$. :)

    Good luck

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited April 2006
    hmm......I wonder what happened to the speakers, along with the broken jumper issues, when you got them?

    Hope you get a replacement sealed-boxes from them.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited April 2006
    heiney9 wrote:
    Hope it works out for you. It would be disappointing to have to get soemthing other than the B & W's you seem to like so much. What's the chance of the store getting those fixed under warranty? The Rotel would be a nice unit to replace the Tosh with. All this damn hobby takes is a steady stream of $$$. :)

    Good luck

    H9

    Thanks! Yeah it's under warranty but it sure sux to send new speaker (even if they're demo units) to the factory right after you've bought them.

    I was saving up for the Rotel but looks like now it'll go towards purchasing a new set of speakers (i.e. in lieu of demo speakers)
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited April 2006
    Oh no!!!

    What speakers are you going to get now? Can you wait it out until the warranty takes care of your 804s?
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited April 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    Oh no!!!

    What speakers are you going to get now? Can you wait it out until the warranty takes care of your 804s?

    804s of course :cool:

    Just got back from Boston with a pair of 804s - this time brand spanking new. I learnt my lesson (the hard way) but from now onwards when it comes to purchasing speakers, I'm not getting no demo units - it has to be new.

    I was also thinking of getting a used Rotel RCD-1072 - so sirrrr ... I rather spend that extra $100-$150 and get a new and save myself from the hassle!

    I'm an optimistic so I'll end the saga by saying, all's well that ends well
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
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  • Holydoc
    Holydoc Posts: 1,048
    edited April 2006
    crazy wrote:
    I rather spend that extra $100-$150 and get a new and save myself from the hassle!

    you know...I will probably die a poor man, but I always buy all electronics (and just about everything else) new. There is always some reason that the other person did not want it or that they want to get rid of them.

    Maybe if I know the person and know they are on bad times and just need money. Otherwise, I would rather spend that extra money for piece of mind.

    Crazy, you have been through a lot my friend with and to get these speakers. I wish you the best and hope it all works out.

    I am still excited about these top-of-the-line monsters, and I don't even own them! hehe
    Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited April 2006
    D-

    I really hope your streak of bad luck ends here..... you're a good man and I hope you find your audio nirvana. Did you atleast get a good deal on the new 804S?

    Joey
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited April 2006
    Holydoc, Joey_V and the rest of the folks ... thanks a lot for all the help, support and concern!

    Yeah, it was a bad streak but yesterday was quite nice ... the long drive was nice since my wife also made the trip and everything went very smoothly. I got a reasonably good deal on the speakers and even though I'm going to be broke for a YEAR, atleast I'll be enjoying every minute of it!

    I was kinda torn between the 804s and the 703 but in the end I thought, this is it - I don't think I'll be buying new speakers for another 10 years (!!!) or till I get the vice president's job (:D) so let me stretch my budget to the end ...

    But all you folks on this forum have been incredible. It's the best place to hang around with folks interested in audio - whether you own a Polk or not.
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited April 2006
    yeah. sounds like a bad crossover in one of them speaker of yours.. what will you be replacing them with?
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited April 2006
    danger boy wrote:
    yeah. sounds like a bad crossover in one of them speaker of yours.. what will you be replacing them with?

    Umm.. he bought another pair of 804S.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited April 2006
    crazy wrote:
    I was kinda torn between the 804s and the 703 but in the end I thought, this is it - I don't think I'll be buying new speakers for another 10 years (!!!) or till I get the vice president's job (:D) so let me stretch my budget to the end ...

    But all you folks on this forum have been incredible. It's the best place to hang around with folks interested in audio - whether you own a Polk or not.

    D-

    Man.... I dont know about 10 years, but that's good that you got that mentality in mind. I swear, you've had a taste of high end.... you'll eventually make your way towards the 802D (and move the 804S to do rear duty).... I can feel it in my bones.

    As for hanging around here at the Polk Forum... dont forget about us! I know you hang around the HTGuide forum... they're not as cool as we are.

    BTW, thanks so much for the CD and I'll send you pictures of my system real soon... I've been real busy with exams coming up. I never forgot about you.

    Oh... and post new pics of your system - show more of the room too! I want to see your sweet spot seat.

    Joey
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited April 2006
    Oops. my bad. i see that he already got his new speakers.

    BUT, are you still using that $100 Tosh for your CD's? hee hee hee. Inquiring minds wanna know ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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