Apple vs. Orange? CD Player Comparo Question

Gulfstrings

I've been comparing two new CD players at home (an Onkyo DX7555 and a Marantz CD5003) but believe I may have done an improper job of setting up the test.

I have the Onkyo connected to the receiver via the analog cables out/in and the Marantz with a fiber optic cable out/in.

A fair setup?

Is it correct that when using the fiber optic cable with the Marantz I've 'bypassed' the on-board processor in the player? and that the receiver is now processing the signal instead?

There is such a significant difference between the two. If using the fiber optic doesn't bypass the Marantz processor and the comparo is fair, this is going t be a no brainer in favor of the Onkyo. But I think I may be mixing apples and oranges ...

Dave

Erik Tracy

Gulfstrings wrote: »

I've been comparing two new CD players at home (an Onkyo DX7555 and a Marantz CD5003) but believe I may have done an improper job of setting up the test.

I have the Onkyo connected to the receiver via the analog cables out/in and the Marantz with a fiber optic cable out/in.

A fair setup?

Is it correct that when using the fiber optic cable with the Marantz I've 'bypassed' the on-board processor in the player? and that the receiver is now processing the signal instead?

There is such a significant difference between the two. If using the fiber optic doesn't bypass the Marantz processor and the comparo is fair, this is going t be a no brainer in favor of the Onkyo. But I think I may be mixing apples and oranges ...

Dave

I'd agree - you are not doing a fair comparison of just the CDPs.

You should connect both players via analog to really compare the whole unit - as a digital transport (reader) of CDs as well as its analog quality via its Digital to Analog Converters and output stage (DACs).

But - you need to also ensure that you have set your receiver to "Pure Direct" (or whatever comparable setting that is specific to your receiver). "Pure Direct" ensures that the signal path from your CDP stays analog all the way to your speakers.

If you don't set your receiver to "Pure Direct" then the receiver will take the analog input from the CD player, convert it back to digital - apply whatever processing mode you have selected - then convert it back...again...to analog to send to your speakers.

If possible, you should try to hook up both players at the same time with analog cables (again - to keep things fair even the cables should be the same) - say one to your CD input and the other to say DVD - and with two CDs of the same song you could do a good A/B comparison of each at the same time.

By having the Onkyo connected via analog and the Marantz via digital what you are comparing is the Onkyo's DACs and your receivers DACs (not the Marantz).

Just my 2cents worth

concealer404

Yeah, not a fair comparison.

Connect them both via analog, or both via digital, don't mix and match.