CD players = dead?


From an audiophile, sound quality perspective are CD players obsolete? Can a CD player offer better performance than an audio server / streamer? 
madavid0
I look at it this way a format is dying when you can't keep the given player for that format serviced. Vinyl, I can get my 30 y.o. turntable serviced my cd player not so much. With streaming I play the dac until it dies and by then something better and cheaper will be out. I'm not into the best format sound wise just content wise
I’m from the stone age and i just can’t say i could turn away from having a format i can physically hold. I also like simplicity. No need to dive deeper in to that. Being a relative audio nerd, i see a downside with the technically that seem to make things (not obsolete) almost outdated, or close to, very fast.
I have a hard time telling myself i invest in something that is a safe buy.

I must say I am still stuck on the ARC Ref CD9 with quad dacs, two per channel as the best I've heard. Leaves all my previous Esoteric gear behind including cdp and clocks etc. And running my streamer through this unit via coaxial also uplifts my digital stream significantly. Now I need to get this system reassembled one day soon... 

You must have had ancient Esoteric players. ARC players cant compete with the TOTL Esoterics’s or Luxman for that matter. Ive had em all.

 

Compatibility with 32-bit/384kHz PCM files and multiple-speed DSD is pretty standard at anything above budget level. The Audio Research CD9SE version inputs are limited to 24-bit/192kHz at best, while DSD isn’t even on the menu.

johnread57

 

Do you still own MW Pioneer LX 800 players as well?

Agreed, the ARC CD9 is a very good player.

 

Happy Listening!