View Full Version : Warm sounding CD players.
southall-1998
31-03-2011, 00:40
Just out of curiosity, any CD players out there that have a nice warm smooth sound?
Ergoline
31-03-2011, 03:39
The Sony PlayStation 1 is one of the warmest, smoothest, most un-hi-fi players I've ever heard, but in a good way. It's not the last word in high or low frequency extension, dynamics, or accuracy. If you weren't raised on video games the interface is awkward, but it is the very definition of warm and smooth. I'd say it's one of the least fatiguing digital front ends you can have, but I've never cared for neutrality.
Note: these comments only apply to the original PS1 in the fat gray case. The PS1 slim/light/whatever they called it in the slender cream case is said to be poor, but I don't have one so I don't know.
Just out of curiosity, any CD players out there that have a nice warm smooth sound?
That depends on how anyone defines the words "Nice warm smooth sound", so within those broad brush strokes can we include the words lacklustre, inoffensive and dull? :lol:
The MF A3 and CD1 I had some years ago fitted that bill and so too did a Myryad :eyebrows:
Hi Shane, are you after current production, or 2nd hand, and what sort of budget - or is this just a general question?
Rare Bird
31-03-2011, 11:50
The Sony i use is warmish..Nice.
Arcam earlier stuff including cd73 is reasonably warm sounding without going all mushy on you. mind you mines not plugged in now since getting a Sonos zp90.
southall-1998
31-03-2011, 12:54
Hi Shane, are you after current production, or 2nd hand, and what sort of budget - or is this just a general question?
Hello Alex,
I've been using a Rotel RCD-1070 for well over 2 years now. I fancy trying something different, a CD player that has a nice smooth analog sound.
southall-1998
31-03-2011, 12:56
The Sony PlayStation 1 is one of the warmest, smoothest, most un-hi-fi players I've ever heard, but in a good way. It's not the last word in high or low frequency extension, dynamics, or accuracy. If you weren't raised on video games the interface is awkward, but it is the very definition of warm and smooth. I'd say it's one of the least fatiguing digital front ends you can have, but I've never cared for neutrality.
Note: these comments only apply to the original PS1 in the fat gray case. The PS1 slim/light/whatever they called it in the slender cream case is said to be poor, but I don't have one so I don't know.
Yes, I remember reading these old PS1s make very good CD players.
Is there a particular place that modifies these PS1s for hifi use?
I shouldn't jump in here, should I :D
Warm and "analogue" sound hints at colouration and in the same way that trying for the ultimate clean and neutral turntable can take some of the charm away, trying to "analogue" a CD player makes the sonics all soft and squidgey if you're not careful.
Getting BOTH right is the key, and this means clean-n-tidy for vinyl, but with balls and projection (yep, it can be done and I've had this confirmed/reminded to me recently :)) and with CD, it's taking the sometimes bleached-out sonics, re-instating the tonal colour that really is there in the "red book" digits, and also restoring the weight and precision in the bass that so many cheaper CD players of old leave out.
I've not heard them, but the Cambridge 840C and new Audiolabs may do it for not much money (and they'll have a warranty as well).
Older players? The Rega Apollo and, better, Saturn, do it well for not much and the older Rega CD players involve deeply too, the old Jupiter/Io having a bigger picture than the original Planet player (isolate carefully though), but do use a Rega Couple interconnect or a home made one using similar Klotz cables with Neutrik Pro plugs. The Naim CD-I was a favourite and tons nicer to listen to than the CD2 and CDX of old and a few of these are still running. I loved the AVI S2000 Reference CD players and the CDM-9 engine-mechs last well, unlike the loading gears which don't (replaceable though). Operationally, they're a disaster compared to the slick Jap machines. The Sony 950 is a goodie by all accounts and available for a ton or so quite often.
There's loads more, but I'd avoid many of the popular "Bitstream" players, which sound thick toned and almost clogged up to my ears. Many of the TDA1541 players can sound gritty and dirty if they're not sorted right too.
By the way, Arcam imported Audioquest cables for many years and the "Quartz" interconnect seemed to finish off the sonic circuit of the older to mid period players I found.
Something with a valve output?
DSJR wrote.
“re-instating the tonal colour that really is there in the "red book" digits,”
You’re going to have to explain this one to me. Is this colour not present in 24/96 digits for example?
In fact could elaborate a bit on how bits are coloured and better still what colour they are!
Please ;)
Something with a valve output?
Yes, a badly designed one would be perfect! ;)
Marco.
Reid Malenfant
31-03-2011, 17:58
I reckon they should be red John :eyebrows:
Getting BOTH right is the key, and this means clean-n-tidy for vinyl, but with balls and projection (yep, it can be done and I've had this confirmed/reminded to me recently :))
C'mon then Dave. Details man, we want details: set up, time, place etc, etc.:brickwall:
Neil McCauley
31-03-2011, 21:02
Anything from Arcam from any era. A bit of cure for insomnia in my direct personal experience.
BTH K10A
31-03-2011, 21:23
Yes, I remember reading these old PS1s make very good CD players.
Is there a particular place that modifies these PS1s for hifi use?
Don't know if you could ever find one of these as the owners tend to hang on to them, but this is about as warm as you get with CD. :smoking:
Valve rectification with 2A3 triodes on the output. Earlier versions used EL34's with a variable output delivering up to 7 volts.
Not cheap when new either.
http://www.stereophile.com/he2006/060206dynastation/index.html
Agree with Arcam cd73 suggestion.
Ergoline
01-04-2011, 02:02
Yes, I remember reading these old PS1s make very good CD players.
Is there a particular place that modifies these PS1s for hifi use?
I haven't heard of one personally, but I would love to get rid of that awful proprietary port that console manufacturers seem so fond of.
I love the second comment made on that linked Stereophile page:
Submitted by ads on June 18, 2009 - 11:26am.
Hot sale Top quality designer replica handbags like Chanel handbags,Gucci handbags,Prada handbags,coach bags,and sandals shoes online with a big discounted price!
I wonder if hifi buffs are known to be big designer handbag buyers? ;)
I wonder if hifi buffs are known to be big designer handbag buyers? ;)
You mean you aren't and you haven't got one or two????
Have a discrete word with the boy please Marco :lol:
.... I can see I have much to learn:(
I have wondered where forum members get their handbags from and also the dummies that get spat out from time to time....... :)
Ali Tait
01-04-2011, 15:52
...and the prams they get spat out from! :lol:
Agree with Arcam cd73 suggestion.
Another vote for Arcam here i still have my cd72 bought new by me, i use it in my AV system for parties, i should try a seperate dac on it one day to see what happens
Not sure if the term 'warm-sounding' is a term of opprobrium, but a friend of mine has just repaced his aging Arcam Delta player and DAC with an Arcam CD73, and is amazed by the clarity of the new machine.
BTH K10A
01-04-2011, 18:08
I love the second comment made on that linked Stereophile page:
Submitted by ads on June 18, 2009 - 11:26am.
Hot sale Top quality designer replica handbags like Chanel handbags,Gucci handbags,Prada handbags,coach bags,and sandals shoes online with a big discounted price!
I wonder if hifi buffs are known to be big designer handbag buyers? ;)
Not sure about handbags, but I've seen lots of men at hifi shows wearing sandals :eek:
DSJR wrote.
“re-instating the tonal colour that really is there in the "red book" digits,”
You’re going to have to explain this one to me. Is this colour not present in 24/96 digits for example?
In fact could elaborate a bit on how bits are coloured and better still what colour they are!
Please ;)
Oh FFS :lol:
I was one of those who thought for a while that red-book CD didn't reproduce tonal colour/timbre properly and "only" analogue LP could do it. I was proved wrong. I then swung the other way and thought that vinyl was cr@p after a very memorable listening session at Linn way back when. HiFi dave proved that wrong too...
These days, I just want the best each format can give - within reason - and I've stopped listening to the gear, by and large, although I'm having more fun with vinyl than in many, many years, at present - and not state-of-the-art vinyl either (although the TD125/R200/Decca Microscanner is bloomin' good).
As for hi-res digits, less margin for error so it should be bloody good straight off.
C'mon then Dave. Details man, we want details: set up, time, place etc, etc.:brickwall:
My personal experiences - NAS Dias/AceSpace 12"/London Decca and ZYX R100 cartridges for starters, through Croft and Tron phono stages/amps.
My own Micro-Seiki CD player was the first player I ever heard which presented a genuinely walk-in soundstage. I since found the Naim CDS2/XPS and its replacement CD3/XPS2, the Linn CD12 and certain Copland and Krell players great too and I know there are many, many more players which are at least as good - I'm going to DEMAND a damn good listen to the Rega Valve Isis when I next am granted a royal audience ;)
DSJR wrote:
Oh FFS :lol:
Sorry Dave :( You know I can’t help it :lol::mental:
(it’s de jargon man it jest confuzzles the crap outa me :scratch:)
Pete The Cat
03-04-2011, 07:51
When I was searching for a warm sound a while back I stopped at Linn Karik + Numerik.
Mind you, stick the first track of Zero 7s "When It Falls" on most CD players and you'll get it :lol:
Pete
Haselsh1
03-04-2011, 08:14
Just as an aside to this thread, my latest stand-in speakers, Celestion F15's are dull, lacklustre and boring but are also smooth, mellifluous and warm. Each to their own I guess.
Just out of curiosity, any CD players out there that have a nice warm smooth sound?
I auditioned plenty and found "REGA SATURN" to tick all the boxes, :)
At the price it is now its a steal
regards steve
My personal experiences - NAS Dias/AceSpace 12"/London Decca and ZYX R100 cartridges for starters, through Croft and Tron phono stages/amps.
Hi Dave, did you think that the huge price difference between the Tron and Croft amplifiers and phono set ups were justified?
I think it's more important to find a CDP that isn't in your face,The DAC chip plays a big roll The Music Hall CDP always got rave reviews so I got the 25.2 and it sounds great but the Little Dot DAC with the same Wolfson chip as the DAC Majic but a much better tyranny kills the DAC in my MH so I just use the player as a transport.
http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=814&sid=dd57b7548da0a348a71b27d7b6ffeafa
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