Is this the END of DAYS for the high end CD player


Seem like this format days are numbered like the cassette and LP. Why would you want to spend 5k or 10k+ for a high-end CD player or DAC combo??

Just trying to see what other audiophile’s thoughts are and where you guys & gals may be planing for the future. Do you stop here at the high end CD player and this format or go completely too digital files?

I'm at a quandary about investing into an expensive CD player setup.
apachef1
Well... The comparison I have had with my friends were blind A/B test. I don't know what else to explain the difference. If not the better laser pick up mechanism, if not the better circuitry, if not the better power supplies, what else could it be?

Even used a computer to play CDs linked to 069 with blind A/B test at my dealer, still.

If any run in the mill DVD player you can get for 100 dollar can play CDs just as good a high end cd player playing bit for bit.... There will be no market for hi fi system! Than all cd transport including DVD players in computer should be just as good.... Why are people still spending money on R&D on cd transports? I mean a bit is a bit.... All one needs is a DAC. But thats far from the truth. Maybe there are just other factors that high end cd players bring to the table. Iike 069's huge power supply and other things?
As our assumption for bit perfect rip. Just google, not all drives are the same.... In addition.... Read the link below...
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=54113&hl=
http://www.digital-inn.de/exact-audio-copy-english/36620-different-drives-different-crcs.html
Wayneker2176,

I think your sonic issues are more to do with your computer set up and the type of digital connection you use. Dont use the CD ROM as a transport(!). Use the computer as a library playing from memory.

I know of no modern hard drives that sound bad! If you are worried then get SSD with no moving parts. Forget S/pdif and toslink. Jittery crap by comparison to FW or a good USB protocol.

You need to forget the Hifi hype. Which part of you really believes that some small hifi manufacturer can compete with giant highly resourced "real" tech companies? You are paying for 20mm think face plates and small production runs.

Rip your CDs in a non compressed format (i.e Aiff or WAV) with a read until right software. Try some playback software like Pure vinyl or Amarra or whatever. Get a decent interface if you want to keep your current DAC, but you may well be better off getting a new generation DAC which takes firewire or USB straight. Weiss make some great ones which are expensive, but there are cheaper ones made by others that use USB. I myself use the new Weiss.

The rest is BS. It is just pure data storage and number crunching. The transport as you use it is a thing of the past. All you want is the data to be passed to a brilliant number cruncher which then has a nice output section to your amp.

There is no way your transport sounds better. The old expensive guard will be forgotten ($15,000 transports!) unless you just want it for designer style. I am sure there are many on the GON who can help guide you with the right bits.

Sorry for the rant, but I have been there. I got rid of all that expensive stuff because it could not compete or was no better. No other reason. Get rid of it before you are stuck with it.
It could very well due to my computer set up. I use a Mac Pro with iTune ripping CD to WAV files.

Why not use CD ROM as a transport? If the CD/DVD ROM can read bit perfect data, why should it matter if I use it as a transport? Since playing CDs on it and ripping CDs from it should yield the same data.

I haven't been able to find a DAC good enough with FW or asynchronous USB than the DAC on my CD player.

As with Hifi hype.... I don't blindly believe anything...... I do blind A/B test. I have to say, some hi end music server are able to deliver the same quality of music when hooked up to the same DAC on... let's say 069... As with "real" tech companies..... I was an investment banker working in Taiwan's technology sector.... I know all the cost, material, and etc going in to a CD/DVD ROM player..... The cost of material with labor is less than $80!!! I am sorry.... it's not just a price bias.... It just doesn't compare to Burmester 069.... Although, I have to say.... some of the "supposed" hi end CD players are pure snake oil!!!!! However, I stand firm on Burmester 069! Blind A/B test with 5 of my friends..... Even if some of them can't describe the difference, all of us prefers CDs on Burmester 069.

You need to forget the Hifi hype. Which part of you really believes that some small hifi manufacturer can compete with giant highly resourced "real" tech companies? You are paying for 20mm think face plates and small production runs.

What are the softwares one can use on a Mac? I use iTune....

I am not suer if the rest is all BS.... like I said.... a non-compromise power supply like the one that comes with Burmester 069 makes a huge difference! The cheaper (US$30000) 089 can't even touch the 069!!
"If the CD/DVD ROM can read bit perfect data, why should it matter if I use it as a transport?"

Because that's a much bigger if reading real time from an optical drive in general than with files stored on a computer hard drive.