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If the DAC is the same, how different do CD transports sound?

One interesting topic of discussion here is how audible the differences are between CD players when they are used as transports only — or when they are only transports to begin with.

In other words, in a comparison which keeps the DAC the same, how much difference can be heard between CD transports?

This recent video by Harley Lovegrove of Pearl Acoustics provides one test of this question. It may not be the ultimate test, but he does describe the experimental conditions and informations about the qualifications of the listeners.

He comes to the main conclusion here: https://youtu.be/TAOLGsS27R0?t=1079

The whole video is worth watching, I think.

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jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,256 posts
 

In an A/B comparison the unit with the higher output voltage will sound better. That’s how we humans respond! The difference can be as little as .1 of a volt or less! That is why matching the output levels is so important! This applies to DAC'S and preamps too!

zlone
758 posts
 

When using an external DAC, isn’t a CD player really just a streamer? In my experience, streamers vary significantly in their performance and are affected by noise and jitter. I have doubts that fancy transports make a difference, they are just reading data, and the real magic happens between the drive and the digital output of the player. Thoughts?

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,219 posts
 

Your CD player will sound different if you use it as transport, you will hear the digital cable , interconnect, and pc used by your DAC. I find using DAC is better.assuming  it matches .Not always its up to you how you will utilize The changes.

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cleeds
6,012 posts
 

zlone

When using an external DAC, isn’t a CD player really just a streamer?

No, streaming and CD playback are two entirely different protocols.

knock1
239 posts
 

 without a blind test with matched levels your reporting is only anecdotal. As Perry Mason would say "Can't stand up in Court".

Well, I have forgotten your scientific approach "it's only 0 and 1".

If you say so. 🙄

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