Better CD Sound: The Search


Went Big into Vinyl last 2 years, then re-discovered my many CD’s, mixing it up plenty now.

I continue to try and find a CD Player with better sound than my existing cheapo Sony Changer that surprisingly keeps on keeping on.

I am hoping recent upgrades to the system will more readily reveal differences:

99.9999 copper speaker wires and interconnects, locking rca connectors, mx110z tube tuner/preamp overhaul by Audio Classics; cayin a88t bias by VAS; 16 ohm L-Pads replacing 8 ohm pots; and finally a I bought a sound meter to balance/refine the speaker’s L-Pads (it ain’t easy) for the best sound ever.
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CD Quest So Far:

I want dual processors, go used to keep cost down, even consider older vintage.

1. my Onkyo Grand Integra (DX-7500 I think), fixed the damn drawer opening problem several times.

2. This cheapo Sony Changer given to me, eh, use if for parties, why not.
surprisingly sounded as good as the Onkyo to me and friends, gave the annoying Onkyo away.

3. tried used Oppo 83 Video Player for it’s audio

Laser was weak, ’no disc’, found it is a common problem with heavily used lasers. Back it went

4. lightly used Oppo 105. Everything worked, but didn’t sound better than the Sony. Oppo is big, single, expensive, not sellers fault, so I sold it myself rather than return it, lost $205. on that attempt.

5. ’new original stock’ KLH (made by?). played a few discs, then the discs started mis-tracking on discs I know are ok.

found small black bits clinging to the surface in the area of the problems (cds play from the inside out, just guess how far out). Turned out, the belt(s) were dried out, thus when put into motion after years of storage (where?), they shed bits of rubber. Back it went, full refund including return shipping. never compared it to the Sony’s sound

6. Resolved: if vintage, make sure belts are available, get a low price, open it up when it arrives, watch it move ... use, replace belts, return as last choice.

7. Just Bought Two, in transit, One Single; One 6 Disc Changer. (both with oem remotes and power cords, most for sale are missing).

a. Denon DVD-2910 Single Player (big dent on the top. $52. del’d, eBay) (crutchfield keeps old info on their site)
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-6TIPMQKBMUZ/p_033DV2910B/Denon-DVD-2910-Black.html

b. Onkyo Integra CDC-3.4 six disc changer (open box/demo) ($51. delivered) (bserplus.com)
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_164CDC34/Integra-CDC-3-4.html

c. a bag of belts. because I will be keeping something, and I have other old stuff with belts
https://www.ebay.com/itm/334135204014

d. spare rare OEM remote for Integra 3.4, eBay

Keeping My Ears Crossed!

elliottbnewcombjr
Denon 2910 update:

new laser arrived; surprise: must de-solder two 'anti-static' blobs of solder. did it, whew. switched lasers, got it working.

Playing CDs, but not SACD yet, still twiddling with the allen key adjusters that control the height/alignment of the laser.

I found this 3 part video, great help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to8ojRiBOag

The search is over! Came up with this one just the other night! Remove CD from jewel case. Holding the CD in both hands, firmly press both thumbs into the center hole. Now this is the most important part- QUICKLY press and pull sharp as you can until the CD breaks. The sound you hear right at the moment it snaps in two is the best sound you will ever get from CD. So real, so lifelike, you won't believe.

elliottbnewcombjr

 

Excellent news! May the new Laser last a long, long, time. It is OEM from Denon?

 

Happy Listening!

jafant,

no, I got if from these people on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/str/libertyelectronicsstore

Finds and plays CD's readily.

I cannot find the magic adjustment of the 2 allen screws that raise/lower/align the laser to get it to read SACD discs. I'm going to write the seller this am with questions. 

Both my Sony's, because they are DVD/Blu-Ray players, also play SACD. But the Integra sounds better, so what's the point?

I never went big into SACD. I tried some purposely, didn't like having to concentrate to hear the difference, and found, when concentrating, some like Oscar Peterson piano have an un-naturally dead-quiet background. So out of nearly 5k CDs, less than a dozen specifically purchased as SACD, others simply came as hybrids.

But still, to lose to a machine? I hate that. If I get it working, SACDs are the best!!!!