Scott H
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2000
- Messages
- 693
Since I said so elsewhere, I suppose I should comment in the appropriate thread. 
I absolutely, unequivocally can discern audible differences when comparing some CD players or DACs. IMHO the differences in a CD source are often more overt than in amps. I started to be able to hear the different characteristics in the early 90s when comparing competing budget offerings from NAD, Marantz, Rotel, Sony ES and California Audio, all in the ~$400 price range, inserted into a base reference system. I do not think that price was a factor nor brand names, as I went from a ~$700 player to a ~$300 player because it reproduced music better. Using my program material, sometimes I can't discern differences, and sometimes I can.
While I agree that generally speaking ~$1000 players sound better than ~$100 players, I do not believe that anyone need spend that much to get a great sounding player. If someone offers a high quality component for a few hundred dollars, and it sounds wonderful, a ~$1000 player may not be as good. I just posted this in another thread, does anyone have one of these:
I'm likely about to move from NAD to the Cambridge Audio D500se. Staying under $400 remains the game.
Stereophile Class 'C' "Recommended Component"
British Hi-Fi Choice "Best Buy"
24-bit Delta-Sigma dual-differential DAC from Crystal
boards are modular for easy upgrades
control chip designed by Sony exclusively for Cambridge Audio
dual mono topology
regulated power supplies for digital and analog circuits
copper shielding
BNC digital output and optical TosLink
and IMHO is beautiful with the silver faceplate option
I absolutely, unequivocally can discern audible differences when comparing some CD players or DACs. IMHO the differences in a CD source are often more overt than in amps. I started to be able to hear the different characteristics in the early 90s when comparing competing budget offerings from NAD, Marantz, Rotel, Sony ES and California Audio, all in the ~$400 price range, inserted into a base reference system. I do not think that price was a factor nor brand names, as I went from a ~$700 player to a ~$300 player because it reproduced music better. Using my program material, sometimes I can't discern differences, and sometimes I can.
While I agree that generally speaking ~$1000 players sound better than ~$100 players, I do not believe that anyone need spend that much to get a great sounding player. If someone offers a high quality component for a few hundred dollars, and it sounds wonderful, a ~$1000 player may not be as good. I just posted this in another thread, does anyone have one of these:
I'm likely about to move from NAD to the Cambridge Audio D500se. Staying under $400 remains the game.
Stereophile Class 'C' "Recommended Component"
British Hi-Fi Choice "Best Buy"
24-bit Delta-Sigma dual-differential DAC from Crystal
boards are modular for easy upgrades
control chip designed by Sony exclusively for Cambridge Audio
dual mono topology
regulated power supplies for digital and analog circuits
copper shielding
BNC digital output and optical TosLink
and IMHO is beautiful with the silver faceplate option
