CD Players vs DVD Pplayers

[Head Man]

I've been really interested in following the debate on another thread about whether to replace CD players with DVD players and I wonder if anyone can confirm whether there's any loss in sound quality by doing this.

I have an Arcam CD player which from time to time has problems reading CD-Rs but generally I'm happy with the sound of my system using this as the CD input.

However I'm thinking of replacing my Panasonic DVD player/recorder with a hard disc system and therefore will have a spare DVD player that could be used to play CDs at some time in the future if and when my Arcam CD player needs replacing. Surely there must be some technology in the Arcam that is over and above that in the Panasonic....or is it all marketing hype?

BTW can anyone recommend a not too pricey hard disc system for recording TV programmes/playing DVDs that is simple to use.

[jazzbo]

I was thinking about this again reviewing the "Skipping CD Player" thread.

There are several factors I think which are at play between cd players and dvd players and their cd playback, in my experience with both types of players playing CD in my home and system..

One is that the laser used for a CD and a DVD are I believe different lasers. The DVD player can read the cd disc, and not vice versa. But I think there's a difference when read and sent between a CD and DVD laser lens. DVD lasers impart a signature that is different in subtle ways from the CD laser lens. With the DVD lens I find there's a smoother sound, warmer perhaps by a bit. But I feel in comparison that the CD laser lens seems to have a subtle bit more detail and dynamics. This is my impression after a lot of comparisons and over time. I prefer CD playback through a dedicated CD player.

Also different players use different DAC chips, filters, and of course power supplies for the digital circuits and for amplifying the analog signal coming out of the converter. Some use op amps, some discrete components, some vacuum tubes for the output stage. All these can have different sounds and signatures through the use of different components and capacitance size, etc. These design and parts differences probably account for the biggest differences in the sound of players.

Other factors come into play as well, such as the rigidity of the chassis and frame, isolating the vibrations from the transport, from the outer environment, etc.

There is, in my opinion, a lot more than "marketing hype" at play, though marketing hype certainly exists.

[Pete C]

the rigidity of the chassis and frame,

Reminds me of a sign I once saw in a Ramen shop: "We will gladly adjust the rigidity of your noodle."

[BFrank]

I didn't realize you could still buy CD players. I thought they were all "disk" players now.

[medjuck]

How about Blu Ray players vs DVD and Cd players? It may be nuts but I think my cds sound better on my Blu Ray player.

[Dave James]

How about Blu Ray players vs DVD and Cd players? It may be nuts but I think my cds sound better on my Blu Ray player.

I have a Sony Playstation 3. I'm not a gamer. I bought for its Blu-Ray capacity. Nonetheless, it will play just about any CD format there is and it sounds great. Of course, when you'e running everything through a home theater surround sound system, it's going to sound pretty good. Point being, it's always good to be covered where the rubber meets the road audio-wise. I don't even own a CD player anymore.

[GA Russell]

Dave, isn't a PS3 a lot more expensive than a Blu-Ray player? What else did you get it for?

[Dave James]

Dave, isn't a PS3 a lot more expensive than a Blu-Ray player? What else did you get it for?

Yes. In addition to using it for Blu-Ray and CD's, I also stream Netflix and Amazon. It's also an internet interface.

[CJ Shearn]

The PS3 can run streaming video from your computer using a program called PS3 media server. I use the PS3 for games and streaming mostly.

[BFrank]

Dave, isn't a PS3 a lot more expensive than a Blu-Ray player? What else did you get it for?

Yes. In addition to using it for Blu-Ray and CD's, I also stream Netflix and Amazon. It's also an internet interface.

My Sony Blu-ray can do all of that (except the Internet interface).

[MartyJazz]

It's a shame that CD carousel decks are no longer available, at least where I live. I like loading 5 discs at a time, pressing shuffle play, and thereby not knowing precisely what to expect when one track ends and another is about to begin. I wouldn't want to replace my current deck with a DVD single disc deck, but that may eventually have to occur.

[Stonewall15]

Amazon lists several brands of CD carousel players.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

As I understand it, unless you buy a high end CD player, the laser inside is for playing DVDs. For a mass market manufacturer, it makes no sense to make a CD-only laser transport when you can make a DVD laser that plays CDs fine.

Personally, I don't think the laser transport has anything to do with the analog sound. All that transport is doing is pulling the 1's & 0's off the disc. It's what the player does with those 1's & 0's afterward that's important.

Kevin

[jazzbo]

I'm not sure that's entirely true even now about the laser assemblies, but I disagree about only the output stage mattering. Yes it does. But don't you hear differences in non-oversampling and oversampling DACs, different digital filters, etc.? I have.

Headman I think the easy answer for you is: follow your plan of getting a hard drive player, see how that sounds with CDs, and if it's great and your Arcam fails, just keep using the hard drive player. If not. . . then look for another player.

[Head Man]

I'm not sure that's entirely true even now about the laser assemblies, but I disagree about only the output stage mattering. Yes it does. But don't you hear differences in non-oversampling and oversampling DACs, different digital filters, etc.? I have.

Headman I think the easy answer for you is: follow your plan of getting a hard drive player, see how that sounds with CDs, and if it's great and your Arcam fails, just keep using the hard drive player. If not. . . then look for another player.

As an experiment I connected my Panasonic DVD recorder/player to my hi-fi system and then used it to play some of my CDs. It played them all perfectly but sounded much thinner than when using my Arcam CD player. So I guess the Arcam player must be doing something 'good' to the output signal; there was also no way see which track was playing. So, if and when my Arcam player bites the dust, I guess I'll be replacing it with another CD player

[Shawn]

Why would anyone buy a DVD player at this point in time? Blu-ray is superior in every aspect.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I'm not sure that's entirely true even now about the laser assemblies, but I disagree about only the output stage mattering. Yes it does. But don't you hear differences in non-oversampling and oversampling DACs, different digital filters, etc.? I have.

Lon - I never limited my statement to the output stage. All I'm saying is that the transport is the least of things that I would consider as being able affect sound. All of the things you cite are all important. I am not disagreeing.

A good "CD transport" usually means more stable and reliable. High end manufacturers will go out of their way to design bullet proof transports. But if you take the digital output from a $75 DVD player and compare it to the digital output of a $5,000 CD player, you will find them to be the same.

[jazzbo]

You might find some of them to be similar. But many high end players use high end transports. I know this from years of reading about them and some hands on experience.

I've heard differences in dedicated cd players and dvd players that I relate to the transport with some reason. That's all I was saying above.

[Pete C]

I just noticed that the thread title is skipping, or at least stuttering.

[Head Man]

I just noticed that the thread title is skipping, or at least stuttering.

Yes, I know. It was the excitement of typing it in!