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What do modern, current day CD Transports do that older CDP's with RCA digital out don't?

I have read a few posts saying that even a modern inexpensive CD transport can sound better with modern DACs than older, more expensive CD players equipped with digital outputs (RCA digital output).

I understand very old CD players with optical outputs only can be poorer sounding due to the optical interface. But I would be curious to learn about how a nice $2000 Sony ES or Marantz higher grade CD player from 12-15 years ago, with RCA digital out won’t work just as well feeding a DAC as say, an modern Audiolab slot loading transport for about $600.  Let's consider the older player is working without problems, like bad laser or mechanical problems.

Hopeful that someone here can explain what the new stuff has on board that works in their favor.

troidelover1499
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Unlike LP playback CD playback doesn't benefit from costly mechanical construction and vibration control. Data streams from different players/transports can be readily measured for jitter and errors. Little if any differences can be found. Claims of sonic differences are entirely subjective from uncontrolled listening. Confirmation bias is at play here. That shiny new toy always sounds better!

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

we got a new georgehifi here doing politburo manifesto paste jobs

the world doesn‘t want to be saved, it wants better sound. Telling people that what they are hearing is delusional just won‘t wash I‘m afraid, especially when they wanted or expected the shiny new player to sound worse..

Expectation bias has been dashed on many an occasion.

johnlcnm
45 posts
 

I'm with Jasonbourne on the expensive cd transports. If you look closely at the inside photos of the Jaysaudio and CDbox, the units both use what appears to me, a cheap plastic cd drive inside of an expensive aluminum milled chassis. I have an older Sony ES and a Yamaha that have far better built drive assemblies. 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,211 posts
 

A BIG YAY for Sony xa5400ES, it's internal dac and processing, no outboard DAC.

I went thru 2 two Onkyo's, 2 Oppos, 1 KLH, 1 Denon, 1 Yamaha, 2 Sonys until I found out about the Sony ES players and chose a lightly used xa5400.

 

 

It's not just the transport, or just the single or multiple dacs, it's the OEM's specific combo of all other technology: re-clocking, up-sampling, anti-jitter, error correction dsd out without conversion to pcm, that you hear, this Sony is the end of the line for me. If it dies, I find another without any hesitation or sideways glance. I was buying LP versions of favorite CD's. Not anymore, now it's re-discover all my existing CDs, buy 'new to me' used CD's as well as 'new to me' new or used LPs.

the transport, drawer could be made of granite or cardboard, once the disc is in play it has been lifted up, sandwiched between two spinners with no support other than the center, spun between 200 and 500 rpm. 

People buy replacement transports for the Sony ES players, IOW it's vintage transport is 'good enough' to produce superlative results.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,211 posts
 

Digital Out can be different that the player's RCA outs

i.e. some do not always send SACD's DSD out the digital, but convert DSD to PCM internally

also, if sending to external dac, what internal OEM processing may have already occurred in older players prior to digital out?  I have no idea, just wondering if ....

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