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CD player just tanked.

Brief introduction: I just recently inherited a hifi system (Audio Research LS16 pre-amp, Proceed HPA2 amp, Aerial Acoustics 7B tower speakers, Arcam CD92 CD player). I'm new to this audiophile stuff but am enjoying the system and learning about it.

Was listening to Dark Side of the Moon CD tonight when suddenly it sounded like the music was coming out of a can. Put in another CD, same thing. My only other source of input is iTunes via a head phone jack/RCA Y cable into the pre-amp. That sounds fine.

So I'm assuming it is the CD player but it seems like an odd sort of issue. I think this CD player is probably 15 years old but I see similar models on eBay for $300+. Wondering if it is worth trying to repair or if that is even possible. I'm also wondering if this could be a problem with the CD input 'channel' on the pre-amp. I guess I could plug the CD into the Aux input on the pre-amp and see.

Any thoughts appreciated.
n80
celander's avatar
celander
1,503 posts
 
Hmmm...my plastic milk crates strategically placed near-field to my ATC active monitors achieves remarkably similar effects of contouring “the frequency, amplitude and time coefficients of the first reflections.”
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
Well, I was thinking I'd just get these and be done with it:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis927ci-wilson-audio-alexandria-xlf-mint-one-owner-full-range

But last week there was a set of used speakers for around $450,000 and knowing they're out there would just make me crazy.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
Back on topic, I got the Sony CD back home and got it all plugged in and everything works fine. It is probably all in my head but it does not seem to sound as good as the Arcam. It sounds sharp and precise but the bass seems a little more subdued and even a little muddy. The whole sound is not as full and rich.

I guess I'm going to have to move speakers around again.

I think you guys are creating a monster here.
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tonykay
1,301 posts
 
Look, this CAN be an expensive hobby. You decide. I don’t know you or your wife but she may be right about returning to your 70’s system. Before you do that, ditch the Arcam and replace it with your Sony CD player. If all else fails, there’s always that Rotel/B&W system.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
See above. That's what I did. I thought that I would not hear a difference between CD players but I'm pretty sure I do. I'll plug along with the Sony but maybe I'll upgrade CD players if I keep at this.

I got the Rotel/B&W system. Huge powered subwoofer, two tower speakers and a center speaker. All pretty beat up. There was a surround sound pre-amp and a large 5 channel amp. The amp and pre-amp are very foreign to me. No method for simple two channel hook up. I doubt the B&W towers are as good as my current Aerial Acoustics and I don't need the subwoofer. I might use the towers with my old receiver but I doubt 25 watts will drive them. The subwoofer is powered but I could not get it to drive the speakers. No sound from speakers at all even though the subwoofer was going.  I'll download the manuals but suspect all that stuff is going back in my brother-in-laws garage.
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