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What am I missing using a 20 year old CD player??

I have the Sonographe SD-1 CD player which I purchased in 1988. Sonographe was a subsidiary company of Conrad Johnson. They modified a Magnavox 2610 CD player to produce the Sonographe SD-1. The unit has operated flawlessly for 20 years. Overall, its sound is clean textured and dynamic, but also can sound hard and somewhat sterile or digital. This "characteristic" has been consistent through several speaker systems I have owned over 20 years. It was formerly mated to Aragon and CJ electronics until recently. My current system is a Creek Classic SE5350 integrated amp; a pair of new(recent) Silverline Preludes and Analysis Plus Oval 12 speaker cable, and a Audio Magic Spellcaster II interconnect. Therefore, I am curious how much better have CD players gotten in the last 20 years. What might I be missing sound-wise that would offer noticeable improvement??? I ask because I am considering the Rega Apollo player. Finally, I was told by a high end audio specialist that I might need to spend to $1500-2000 to better the Sonographe. I question that because it only received above average reviews. I think, though not sure, Stereophile put it in their "C" equipment category..... Any and all advice welcomed. Thanks, Jimbo
sunnyjim
imin2u
392 posts
 
Everything
aolmrd1241
1,025 posts
 
20 years is an eternity in the realm of digital. Do your self a favor and get out of the house and audition some players that may critique your intrest, I think you will be amazed... 8^)
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
It's a great question. There are many here more qualified than I because they have owned many different units. In short, lots has changed, especially with the D/A converters. You won't know which unit bests yours until you compare them side to side. Either take your unit into a dealer and A/B compare them, or better yet bring one home and A/B them in your room. You could consider just getting a DAC, but if the mechanism of your fails, you might not be able to get it repaired. Good luck.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,553 posts
 
I would take your old CD player into a (several) store(s) and AB it with newer models, or if possible, ask to demo new models in your home with your own system. There have been a lot of improvements in DAC and filtering technology over the last twenty years directed at getting rid of the "digital" sound signature. I would pay special attention to comparing how well bass notes are reproduced, overall tonal qualities, and what I would call "granularity" or lack of it in the presentation. If the newer models you can afford don't sound more like music to you than your Sonographe, then you are missing nothing.
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