4 CDP's

[srramanujam]

Can we create a thread, for the benefit of people like me, a running list of members banned by moderator, banned by members, and resignations.

The list is getting interesting.

 

[anm]

Why do people who live "there" think that people "here" have nothing better to do, in fact, nothing to do?

 

[santhosh]

Can we create a thread, for the benefit of people like me, a running list of members banned by moderator, banned by members, and resignations.

The list is getting interesting.

Agree. Add to the list a category of members who threaten(emotional blackmail) to resign when others disagree\question their views.

 

[srramanujam]

Maybe we should ask Telecom Minister A. Raja if we can come to his house to audition his music system. He may take offense and resign after all.

 

[anm]

lol!!!!!!!

Maybe we should ask Telecom Minister A. Raja if we can come to his house to audition his music system. He may take offense and resign after all.

 

[ajay124]

The objective behind this thread was to learn more about cdp's priced in the 100K-200K segment.Can we please get back to that now?
I really would like some inputs on the Accuphase DP400 cdp.
Price(India/Singapore),Performance,Comparison with Ayre/Meridian/Audio Research/Goldnote/Electrocompaniet.
The feedback I have received on Bryston BCD 1 is that it's good,but not great.I would be happy to learn more about this player.
Also Arcam FMJ 37,Rega Saturn,Naim CD5 XS and Musical Fidelity M6CD
Please!

 

[arj]

Ajay124, Great suggestion.. lets go back to the actual discussion

Each one of which is very different..so it would make sense to first classify what is the characteristic you want in the CDP
eg..to generalise
-Ayre/Arcam/Bryston : Accuracy/neutrality..with bright systems may make the sound bad
-Rega/Audionote/MF : usually warmish, more musical than detailed (usually rolled off): with already neutral/analytical systems can improve the sound really..but may get laid back with other systems..

naimt: very high on PRAT/smoothness and detail
etc etc

Meridian/AR/Electrocompaniet/dCS/Cary etc etc : cannot go wrong with any setup and will do all of the above..are well worth the price..but the price is high and could very well be the Last Large upgrade you may want to do (maybe 80-90 % of best sound and after than for a large $$ the actual upgrade you get will be limited)

 

[prem]

Hi Ajay 124

Also look at reliability of the players. Search Audiogon/Audioasylum for details

 

[srramanujam]

The objective behind this thread was to learn more about cdp's priced in the 100K-200K segment.Can we please get back to that now?

Is this what this forum has come to. Is this the way to treat experienced(!) forum members. What makes you think that the forum rules have to be obeyed.

I have had enough of this forum and this is my last post for this morning.

BTW, i am keen on this thread since i also have to buy a CDP/ HD based player soon. Right now i am driving my system with a Samsung DVD Player.

 

[prem]

Hi Ajay 124

As Arj mentioned there are basically 2 flavors.

The highly resolving, detailed, transparent, neutral sound or the warm, organic sound. You need to figure out which flavour floats your boat. To do this hear at least one player in each category. Things will become much easier for you to finalise your player.

 

[dinyaar]

The objective behind this thread was to learn more about cdp's priced in the 100K-200K segment.Can we please get back to that now?
I really would like some inputs on the Accuphase DP400 cdp.
Price(India/Singapore),Performance,Comparison with Ayre/Meridian/Audio Research/Goldnote/Electrocompaniet.
The feedback I have received on Bryston BCD 1 is that it's good,but not great.I would be happy to learn more about this player.
Also Arcam FMJ 37,Rega Saturn,Naim CD5 XS and Musical Fidelity M6CD
Please!

Hi Ajay
Hope the gear is keeping you happy.

In my opinion the accuphase cd machines are all superb. The DP 400 is very detailed yet musical. Build quality & reliability is second to none in all Accuphase gear. It is a bit smoother, fuller than other digital players which to some is an advantage & for the rest its a negative. In my opinion a cdp like this is great to pair with Bryston electronics as it adds a bit of flavour (colour???).

EMM labs, esoteric , Accuphase were on my shortlist and I went for the accuphase DP 510. This replaces the 500 which to my mind was brilliant.

I have always maintained that I find choosing a cdp most difficult. Many machines are great and each has its plus points. I must have got maybe 10 cdps home in the last 2 years and must have gone to various places and heard 10 more. Some of the cd players that u list are not up to the mark and are more hype than substance. Some of the Cos have had their day but are making junk now and some like Bryston are entering this at a time when the world is slowly moving away towards a PC source. A friend congratulated me on my purchase & said I have bought a SUPERB STEAM ENGINE!!

Make sure the machine can be used as a DAC OR AS a transport in case u opt to go that way later.

Rgds

PS : Sorry Ajay I just went thru the thread and saw U quote me and ask me about my purchase. See Grattan and me differ on our perception in most things audio. He rates ACCURACY as the most important and I can sacrifice some accuracy for MUSICALITY. Many amps are more accurate than an accuphase!!!!! and the same for the cd players. The DP 510 is the first instance when accuphase are making the cdp more universal (to fit in many other rigs not just accuphase rigs)This cdp is not as rich or creamy. I spoke to a few hardcore accuphase owners and I was informed the CD performance is almost at par with the DP 700. Naturally there is no SACD.
Am hardly ever active on the forum so best to call in case of any clarification. Rgds

 

[arj]

Make sure the machine can be used as a DAC OR AS a transport in case u opt to go that way later.

Rgds

Great point..this is something which i believe anyone who is looking out in the market needs to consider. Either as an SPDIF in or an USB/Firewire in

Each Accuphase products are built like a tank and are called the Mercedes of Audio ... and if I had the $$$$ my dream is to run my speakers with A30's bridged as Monoblocks (Or of course ATC Active 100's)

 

[ajay124]

I am quite aware that cd's and cdp's are on the way out.Among all the people I meet in Chandigarh,there is no one who has bought a cd recently,and there is certainly no one contemplating buying a cdp.Possibly cd's may join cassettes in the back of beyond,a few years from now.
The good part in this unfolding scenario is,that average cd prices in India have fallen from roughly 500/ per cd to 300/ per cd.More and more attractively priced box sets are coming out.In the coming years prices for cd's and cdp's may hit rock bottom.
A few years from now the current generation of Accuphase/Meridian/Ayre/Electrocompaniet etc. cdp's may be available at a huge discount to current prices.But the irony is that most audiophiles who yearn for their dream cdp's now,may not be interested in buying into a dying technology,when priced start becoming mouth-wateringly attractive.How many people are buying cassette players,now that they are available at a pittance of their former prices?
I began this thread with my mind completely shut towards Dac's.I am still committed to chasing my cdp dreams,but perhaps I will open a window and let the Dac Winds roll into my mind.My target for a cdp upgrade is sometime in 2011.Plenty of time to wait and watch.
Dac suggestions anyone?

 

[rikhav]

Each Accuphase products are built like a tank and are called the Mercedes of Audio

Hi Arj
Going off topic.
Of all the luxury car makers, Mercedes reliability record is at an all time low

I am quite aware that cd's and cdp's are on the way out.Among all the people I meet in Chandigarh,there is no one who has bought a cd recently,and there is certainly no one contemplating buying a cdp.Possibly cd's may join cassettes in the back of beyond,a few years from now.
The good part in this unfolding scenario is,that average cd prices in India have fallen from roughly 500/ per cd to 300/ per cd.More and more attractively priced box sets are coming out.In the coming years prices for cd's and cdp's may hit rock bottom.
A few years from now the current generation of Accuphase/Meridian/Ayre/Electrocompaniet etc. cdp's may be available at a huge discount to current prices.But the irony is that most audiophiles who yearn for their dream cdp's now,may not be interested in buying into a dying technology,when priced start becoming mouth-wateringly attractive.How many people are buying cassette players,now that they are available at a pittance of their former prices?
I began this thread with my mind completely shut towards Dac's.I am still committed to chasing my cdp dreams,but perhaps I will open a window and let the Dac Winds roll into my mind.My target for a cdp upgrade is sometime in 2011.Plenty of time to wait and watch.
Dac suggestions anyone?

Ajay Bhai
The DP400 has digital and coaxial inputs. So it can be used a DAC with a computer as a source
So that way you are future proof if you buy this CDP only to play cds for now.
Not sure how would it compare to a standalone DAC

 

[arj]

Hi Arj
Going off topic.
Of all the luxury car makers, Mercedes reliability record is at an all time low

Dont know about that..but when you are in the back seat of a Merc, it is as though you are still continuing your flying .. i don't (and cannot) own one but since in many countries cabs are Mercs i have ridden in quite a few

but the idea was not to talk about Merc the car but the comfort,smoothness and luxury it signifies (or as you may want to put it..used to signify). I guess thats want an Accuphase signifies

anyways lets get back to the topic

 

[anm]

exactly my opinion. CDPs are dying and only way they can survive is to function as DAC as well. This was my advice to emotiva as well - merge cdp and DAC.
Sorry ajay for bringing up a budget product in discussion, but just to explain a point.

Great point..this is something which i believe anyone who is looking out in the market needs to consider. Either as an SPDIF in or an USB/Firewire in

Each Accuphase products are built like a tank and are called the Mercedes of Audio ... and if I had the $$$$ my dream is to run my speakers with A30's bridged as Monoblocks (Or of course ATC Active 100's)

 

[Dr.Bass]

I have not seen many "serious" audiophiles buying high quality CDPs with a digital in being a criterea. If you are serious about computer playback get a kick ass DAC else get the BEST possible CD player you can afford, digital in or otherwise should not be the criterea when you are looking for the best CDP (within your budget of course). That just me and my POV.

 

[Asit]

I have not seen many "serious" audiophiles buying high quality CDPs with a digital in being a criterea. If you are serious about computer playback get a kick ass DAC else get the BEST possible CD player you can afford, digital in or otherwise should not be the criterea when you are looking for the best CDP (within your budget of course). That just me and my POV.

Dr. Bass,
I have not completely understood the point you are making. I always thought providing a digital-in port and letting the CDP be used also as a standalone DAC could be done in a CDP (of any level) at a slight addition to the cost, without a lot of trouble and without having any significant detrimental effect on the audio quality of either usage. I do not have a lot of technical knowledge and am obviously missing something. Please explain.

Regards

Offtopic
arj and rikhav, our son was born in Germany. Whenever my wife complained to the pediatrician (Dr. Leonard in Aachen) about our son's development, the Doctor would get very agitated and would say, "He is a human being and not a Daimler (for Mercedes Benz), how can you expect a human being to be as perfect as a Daimler Benz?"

 

[anm]

@ Dr Bass - those looking to derive more value from their investment, enhancing life of the equipment in their homes, specially if the love the signature of the cdp (99% of it would be in the dac) and considering the amount of time invested in auditions and determining synergy with their system and room - can not be dismissed as non serious non audiophiles.
Unless you are saying all CDPs that have digital IN are BS products, not even worth considering, unless you want yourself to be risked of being "labeled" as non serious non audiophile in forums.

Let me put it the other way, I want a kick ass DAC that also spins CDs once in a while - because that's where the future is.

 

[ajay124]

I sympathise with the viewpoint of Dr.Bass,that one should not loose one's focus.If the objective is to find the best sounding cdp within a particular budget,then whether it has a digital IN or not,should not be a primary consideration.Of course,if a cdp was provided a digital IN,without adding to the cost substantially,or being detrimental to the sound quality,then there would be an added incentive to buy that cdp.But we should remain focused on whether we are committed to cd's and want the best cdp,or is our preference slowly shifting towards a Dac.In which case,why bother with a cdp?Trying to achieve too many objectives,often leads to nothing being achieved eg,(5.1)
But as Asit has pointed out, there does not seem to be any reason why adding a digital IN should diminish the appeal of a cdp.Between two identical sounding/priced cdp's,I would prefer the one,which also gave me the option of directly connecting to a source,streaming lossless files.