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Memory Players

Hi Folks.

Well, the upgrade itch has got me and it may be time to once again dip my toe into the technology pool. It's actually been a while since the last "itch", so I'm O.K. with it.

I am still using a Denon DVD500 as my digital reference source. This unit was a giant killer in it's day with it's heavily constructed chassis, extensive shielding, and those wonderful Burr Brown 1704 24/96 dacs.

Unfortunately, CD quality has worsened. The discs seem thinner, the discs sometime vibrate, then vibrating the dacs, blah, blah, blah.

Who has experience with either the Nova or PS Audio Memory Players (or others like it) and what could you tell me?

I extracted the information below from what I believe to be the old Nova website. It's very interesting.

"“Read-until-Right” is the principle that lies at the heart of the Nova Physics Group Memory Player and that enables it to achieve its stunning sonic effects. When a CD is placed in the Memory Player, the laser will first read the disc like any other CD player, but what distinguishes the Memory Player is what happens when the laser encounters a hard to read spot on the disc (and this happens hundreds or even thousands of times per disc, either from dirt, scratches, surface imperfections or eccentricity). A standard CD player at this point will introduce Error Code Correction or Error Concealment Correction (ECC) and Parity Bits. The Memory Player disables ECC and Parity Bits and engages its Read-Until-Right (RUR) and Dynamic Laser Positioning (DLP) software. RUR attempts to retrieve the original information on the disc by engaging its DLP that repeatedly shifts the laser angle. Only when the information can’t be extracted after hundreds of attempts do Error Code Correction and Parity Bits kick in, creating as perfect a theoretical facsimile of the missing information as possible, as in standard CD players."
128x128buscis2
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
The problem with all-in-one players is that they usually make the wrong choices for ripping software and playback software. You are better off to get a Mac Mini and put Amarra on it. This delivers a world-class sound that beats all CD players and transports if coupled with the right USB DAC. This way you can upgrade the S/W as the technology improves.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
unsound
7,329 posts
 
FWIW, I find the idea of using flash memory very intriguing.
phaelon
1,049 posts
 
"You are better off to get a Mac Mini and put Amarra on it. This delivers a world-class sound that beats all CD players and transports if coupled with the right USB DAC.”

Is it really that simple Steve? If so, what are all of the problems and complications with PC sourced audio that I’m always reading about. And why do so many who have tried, return to their CDP’s in frustration, saying it’s not ready yet.
dev's avatar
dev
832 posts
 
Try and have a listen, when I heard The Memory Player a few years ago after one of the reviewers hyped it up;

#1 was not easy to use

#2 had quirks

#3 for what it was a fairly cheap cabinet and not much inside but very exspensive did not have me opening up my wallet.

#4 continuous upgrades but some specific models were not available to up grade.

The latest one is suppose to have fixed allot of this including just being different all arround and is actually allot less costly also so best you get one that is broken-in and have a listen, we are still talking close to $10K, far from being pocket change.

The PS Audio, I keep reading this and that and have had one in my set-up and it was sonically disappointing compared to my red-book set-up so again best you get one if interested and have a listen in your own set-up.
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
I'm with Phaelon. I am still hassling with my rep for my Marantz NA 7004 which is a very buggy media player. I also own a Squeezebox Touch, which for $300 represents a heck of a value and is a lot more reliable than the aforementioned Marantz, but it also does strange computer like things that require reboots and what not.
Computer Audio is clearly the next thing especially for high Rez, but they just are not at a user friendly enough stage to make give up the trusty Silver Disc spinners.
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