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In Reply to: RE: 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
Follow Ups:
I would assert that given the dramatic disparity in sound between CD players that there certainly never has been, nor will there ever be a standard......
"I'm not locked in here with you, You're locked in here with ME"
Not so dramatic as the disparity in position you take on the subject with certain members of the esteemed Boston Audio Society. :-)
I don't happen to believe it is possible to get transparency with the 44/16 format. This leaves room for various compromises over what should be discarded and what should be left. This is not such a problem as the digital resolution increases, which is a very good reason for avoiding RBCD wherever possible.
Tony Lauck
"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar
I don't happen to believe it is possible to get transparency with the 44/16 format.
optimizes phase response over extended HF response. Hence, it measures 0.25 db down at 20 kHz using balanced connections and 1 db single ended. Some might consider that "warm" sounding.
rw
Just kidding, from someone who has no interest in classical music, - SACD or hi-rez simply is not available. But that's another story for another day.
AND, - not to be overly obnoxious, - there IS a big disparity between redbook players. If you don't have that experience, - then I don't want to be obnoxious, (again), but I'd humbly suggest that you seek out more players.
I've had an Arcam FMJ, an Audio Aero, a NAD, an AYRE, and an APL all playing redbook in and out of my system and the differences were pretty big. There's a lot of testimony out there too, corroborating big differences in CDPs.
Plus having a player on hand that is great with both redbook and SACD; IME, there are more than a few great redbook recordings out there that rival in sound quality to SACDs. And a few SACD recordings that are WORSE sounding than their redbook counterparts, Jazz at the Pawnshop, the Simple Minds, and the Pixies SACDs are most notable here. There are also some excellent Reference Recordings in redbook that are excellent and rival their SACD counterparts. In players like Meitner, Ayre, Esoteric, Audio Aero, and APL, - the redbook sections are so good that they are very close to many SACDs. YMMV
"I'm not locked in here with you, You're locked in here with ME"
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