In Reply to: GAMUT CD players posted by Sordidman on June 29, 2010 at 12:27:07:
Most likely you can use a test disk and measure the difference between players, if there is such a big difference as you claim. Then one could say which one was right and which one was wrong, since there is a standard that determines what a CD player is ideally supposed to do with a given disk. So you are left in the same situation as the preamp: if you don't get the correct signal then the player isn't transparent. If you start messing around with the high frequencies then that's a different matter, as CDPs are now being deliberately built to counteract the limitations of early analog to digital converters. But this shouldn't affect the low bass. However, there is still a definition of "right" and Ayre, for example, accommodates this through his "measure" switch position. If you have to reach a decision using music then you can still determine transparency, but like your example of the preamp you will have to work with an ADC paired up to a DAC. And if you mix brands, you will not necessarily get consistent results. This is the same as it has always been with tape machines.
Nothing wrong with selecting components that aren't transparent or accurate if they work together and make your recordings enjoyable. However if you are making recordings for others to play on their equipment then this will be perilous.
While some manufacturers who produce "colored" sound do so unintentionally (and it may even be debatable that any coloration is the result of their products) there are undoubtedly others who deliberately create a colored "house sound" to obtain market differentiation.
Tony Lauck
"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- RE: GAMUT CD players - Tony Lauck 15:01:15 06/29/10 (4)
- Can you define the "standard?" - Sordidman 15:20:30 06/29/10 (3)
- RE: Can you define the "standard?" - Tony Lauck 15:28:29 06/29/10 (2)
- The GamuT design (at least the CD-1 that I use) - E-Stat 17:33:05 06/29/10 (0)
- If you want to listen to 2 discs - Sordidman 15:46:18 06/29/10 (0)