Why do these 2 sources sound different to each other whilst playing exactly same CD?

[57charles]

I have a Sony SACD XA3000ES CD player and a Denon DVD A1 DVD player (used as CD deck) both connected to TEAC D-T1 DAC. I have 2 copies of identical CD and when I play them simultaneously on both machines and switch the TEAC to output one and then the other, there is a definite difference in sound - not necessarily quality just different. The Sony sounds more livelier and the Denon a bit 'darker' - both sound excellent but I can't make my mind up which I prefer. don't understand why there's such a large difference - any thoughts/
Amp is Yamaha Z9 and speakers are Spendor SP2/3r2.
Thanks!

[struth]

Cables? Or differing output. Dodgy transport v good one all possible. Take it youve switched the disc round just in case

[hifi_dave]

Just proves that transports and cables do sound different.

[walpurgis]

I have a choice of three CD player/transports and they differ a lot in sound via my DAC.

I would say though that DACs seem to have an even greater variation in sound. Unsurprisingly, given the different types of design.

[Yomanze]

Cables make a minuscule difference, if any, in digital audio.

Both transports are extremely likely to be bit perfect on their SPDIF outputs, which leaves the clock signal. It is ridiculously easy to transmit perfect data (digital), but remember, the clock is analogue...

Thus, the differences are due to jitter and clock drift.

[57charles]

Both units have the same co-ax digital cables connecting to the DAC and there is no difference in volume levels when switching between the transports.
I know that the Denon was a top of the range DVD player in it's time (approx. 3000 pounds) with battleship build quality and high grade transport and power supplies and I believe the Sony was highly regarded as well. Like I said, I'm talking about different sonic presentation not a lack of or difference in quality - for example I've also hooked up a Denon 2900 (a well regarded DVD player used as CD transport) and the sound became strained and lightweight and even more so with my Yamaha DVD S2700 which was at the top of the Yamaha range at the time and this too sounded really lightweight and uninvolving. I als tried my Sony BDP S5000ES blu ray and used it as a cd deck - it was also superior in sound quality but annoyingly I couldn't see if there was a way to programme CD tracks for reply on it - so it's used for blu ray only.
I know both the Sony 3000ES and Denon A1 have very well worked power supplies with multiple transformers. Wonder whether this could be a factor?

[57charles]

Incidentally, I consider the Sony to have a little more 'zing' compared to the darker, richer sounding Denon but neither are at all fatiguing and in fact they both sound superior to anything that has gone before - like I said, just a different presentation of rather excellent sound reproduction (to my ears, at least).

[struth]

Power supplies are critical, should say can be. Take it youve swapped all the variables round and difference remain with machine. Nice test, although ive heard a machine sound nothing special yet transformed via a good buffer. Mine in fact lol. Have you tried them both out using their own dacs as another trial. If it stays the way it is then it suggests the psu. Transport can make a difference but wouldnt think it would do what this is doing. Also swap dac sockets as ive had a dadgy one once

[Arkless Electronics]

Different DAC IC's, op-amps, capacitors, voltage regulation and grounding regime between the two machines..... simple as that.

[Macca]

Different DAC IC's, op-amps, capacitors, voltage regulation and grounding regime between the two machines..... simple as that.

They are being used through an off board DAC so the same DAC chips in both cases, hence the mystery. Although it is only half a mystery as anyone with ears can hear that transports sound different (not necessarily better or worse).

I've read that is that a co-ax/spdif cable does not transmit the data the same way electrically as a computer type cable like a USB cable does and this creates differences in cables as noise and distortion can be generated, although in this case the cables are identical.