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In Reply to: Comparing CD Players posted by energyandair on December 10, 2006 at 20:42:06:
David,Having the same cables and siting them on a same rack are good thing. ( minimising variables ). You can even go step further and using the same input and make sure power cords are plugged into the same outlet if you are very anal. This, however, does not let you do a quick AB.
I no longer really do a quick AB for a CD player. I found that it's not necessarily a good way to judge a player.
It's better to assess how a given player presents the music rather than checking off a hi-fi check list and spend the time with one unit for at least a week or few days and do the same with another unit in question.
A long-term listenability is imporant as some players can be impressive in the begining, but at a longer listen, you might get tired of it.
I am not sure why you want to change your current Denon.
If you like it, and it's still working, why do you want to change?
Newer players probably offer more advanced DAC chips than what you have on your Denon ( altho, I am not familiar with it at all ) but as you've noted going up on a digital playback ladder can be less rewarding than other upgrades. ( especially if you use a turntable )
Follow Ups:
Generally when comparing equipment, I find A-B testing good for picking up big differences and clarifying some others. Like you, I find long term listenability very important though, so where possible I don't like to make my mind up until I've had a chance to listen quite a bit on varied material and with different components.I've generally tried to keep my CD players fairly inexpensive because they are such a fast depreciating item. While the Denon was originally expensive, I was able to buy it cheaply a couple of years ago because of some operating issues that fortunately turned out to be easily fixed (could have been otherwise)
I'm not sure that I want to change my Denon but if a change will bring an large improvement at a cost I'm comfortable with, then I'm interested.
* I've generally tried to keep my CD players fairly inexpensive because they are such a fast depreciating item*
You're smart for doing that.*I'm not sure that I want to change my Denon but if a change will bring an large improvement at a cost I'm comfortable with, then I'm interested.*
Unless you know a specific niggle with your current Denon, I would play it down to the ground.Generally, Denon transports are very good, so another option, if it has a digital out, is to get a decent DAC. ( you can listen to various different flavour this way ).
The current crop of non-OS DAC's are pretty easy on the ears ,and the budget .I was using a modded Ah Tjoeb 99 as a source up till january of this year . I built a NON-OS DAC , but there are quite a few manufactured NON -OS DAC's to choose from (and plenty of Modders if you want to upgrade it ;~)). The sound is a big step up from the 99 , but I still use it as a transport . Mine doesn't have any op amps out , and uses resistors to develope the voltage out to coupling caps . I use Mundorfs silver/oil caps as couplers . It is Sweeeeet !
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