2. digital
  3. 1166717688

Has anybody heard the new Nagra CD Player?

Just wondering if anybody has heard the CDC. Considering its asking price, it should be one of the best out there... or not?
kamil
aplhifi
515 posts
 
My opinion is based on number of experiments with computer based audio. The ultimate test for me is when vinyl is recorded to a PC, both to HDD or internal Compact Flash memory drive. Sampling rate is 96/24 or 192/24. Then using the same DAC, vinyl setup and associated equipment, the sound quality is compared between:

1. Vinyl in the pure analog domain.

2. Vinyl being just converted to digital.

3. Vinyl recorded to CF or HDD and played directly from the HDD or CF drives.

4. Vinyl recorded to CF or HDD, burned to DVD-A and played on a dedicated digital transport.

For some reason, #3 does not sound nearly as good as #1, 2 and 4 while there is hardly any difference between #1, 2 and 4.

This was done using heavily upgraded 67 bit audio card in the PC feeding the external DAC through S/PDIF connection. The reason why #3 didn’t sound as good is NOT the S/PDIF connection since #1 and #2 sounded the same.

Wavelab and Disc Welder were used for the REC/PB/Burn processes.

Few local audiophiles witnessed the experiment and agreed to the above results.

There are many reasons why #3 did not sound as good but I’d rather not discuss them here.

So, that is my truth.

Regards,
Alex

jc51373
548 posts
 
Good question Kamil....I have not heard the Crimson, yet....It is just beginning to trickle out there to people now. There is a guy, Splaskin I believe who has one, loves it. I have heard the Nagra though, and I have heard more than one of the Wavelength pieces, and without making a direct a/b comparison I would say the Crimson would sound much better. The reason I say this is because the pieces I have owned Brick and Cosecant, sounded better to me. Especially Cosecant. But beauty is in the ear of the beholder. : )

The price of a Crimson is $7500, plus $1100 (Maximum) for a PC, preferably a MAC. I say a MAC because I fiddled with a Windows PC first and once I went to the MAC the difference was night and day. Mac's have MUCH better control over thier drivers in sound better. So you are still at a considerably lower priced then the Nagra, with a convenience factor that you can't put a number on. And a new MAC computer to toy with as well!
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Alex,

There are many reasons why #3 did not sound as good but I’d rather not discuss them here.

Unfortunately, that leaves us information-seekers in the cold.

If the reason is because of less-than-adequate implementation of the test, then the results of the test are dubious (and personally, I do not understand how the audio signal in #2 gets to listeners' ears and therefore do not understand the "NOT the S/PDIF" bit). If the reason for the problem with #3 is indeed structural and cannot be addressed using known technology, then surely given your prior comments in the thread, you can say that. If you'd rather not discuss it here because you have reached technological epiphany and wish to patent it and license it to the audiophile world for a gazillion bajillion dollars before discussing (and if this is the case, more power to you), then you probably should have said nothing in the first place.

I personally have not done the tests. I would very much like to participate in such a test. I have no reason to believe that with competing 'cost-is-no-object' implementations that one or the other will provide an obviously better solution TODAY, though I admit to tending to the idea that a high quality implementation of data transfer through transistors and software-embedded chips will in the near future, if not now, likely get a result of Quality Level X with less expense than a transport physically spinning a reflective disc. That said, I am completely open to being convinced of the opposite. While I have no reason to disbelieve someone of your obvious expertise and passion in the digital domain, I am perplexed by the thrust of your commentary, and the fact we are left hanging after such a detailed buildup.
jc51373
548 posts
 
Aplhifi- There is NO difference between the data on a CD or CD-r, how the data gets there is another discussion.

So to keep in track here, all things considered, 1:1 file copying, convenience, mind blowing sound, why would one invest in an incredibly expensive CD player right now? Beyond me...Good to have one in the mix I guess, but to put alot of $$ into it at this stage is not in my opinion is not the best investment. Doesn't mean a USB DAC is the best investment since quite honestly the chips have not completely fallen on this subject...But I personally could not be happier with my set up, and I sure this will be for years to come.
kotaro
6 posts
 
Because I use NAGRA PL-P and NAGRA VPA, I am interested in NAGRA's new player.
More to discover