Sony Playstation 1 for a CD player ???

Back in the day before folks hyped up the PS1 I had the model that all say sounds so wonderful. At the time I had a nice system with martin logan cls2z loudspeakers but was waiting on a new cd player for my old JVC failed so I used my PS1. It didnt have the air or detail of the old JVC. But it did play a CD. When my new YBA cd player shipped it sound so much better than the ps1. Now that was near 13 years ago. My friend still owns my old YBA he also has a pioneer multdisc player forgot model retailed arround $175 about 5 years ago. And the poineer sounds much better than the old YBA. So my question to you all is why did I not hear this magic? Maybe it was because at the time no one was hyped it up. And I saw and heard it for what it was a nice vidio game system but not a good cd player. But sound on a few games like final fantasy tactics is amazing. My older son still has a few PS1 inc the model everone said sounds so great. I tried it a few days ago and sound was the same as I remembered it dull and univolving. But we did end up linking 2 ps1 together so you can game against each other using 2 ps1- 2 TV pretty fun played Doom, C@C, Twisted Metal. This you should try;)But you need 2 older PS1 with link cable.

Rhing: thanks for the rec. I'll look into the Monster--and the Walmart cable while I'm at it. I'm using 12G Tributaries wire now, and $8 is the kind of upgrade I can afford. Worth a shot.

In my opinion it is very system dependent. The PS1 is not highly resolving with pinpoint detail and crystal clear highs. It is more of an analog sound with excellent midrange and an emotional feel to the music. Since I prefer the detail and soundstaging of other players, I use the PS1 in my bedroom. For listening to the "air and space in the recording", I use a different system. I use nice ICs and a PS Audio PC, no fuse upgrade. Thre is only so much you can do with this player. That said, I believe you have to spend more than $750 on a player to best it. The one comparison I haven't made yet is between the Oppo Digital 980 HD and the PS1. The Oppo is clearly the best CD sound among universal players in its price range. It will be interesting to compare the two. But, for $40? No contest, the PS1 wins hands down!

I have been watching this thread, and thought I would chime in with my experience with the PS1. I was looking for a CD player to use with my solid state HT system in my basement. I have tube gear in my 2 channel rig upstairs, and ever since I got that, using my DVD player for 2 CH music downstairs just didn't cut it for me. But, I didn't want to spend alot of money. I bought a PS 1 about three weeks ago (model SCPH-1001).I was skeptical like most probably are, but for $25.00 on Ebay, why not? My experience was pretty jaw dropping like some others have stated. The detail in this player to me is really quite remarkable. Very clean and clear sounding. MUCH better than the analog outs of my Denon 2910 universal player. I have found the bass on the PS1 to be a bit of a weakness as others have found, but that's not to say it is bad. Certainly something I can live with, and not a deal breaker. I do think it needs to warm up for an hour or so, but not for three days as some others claim. I have been using some DIY interconnects made from Wal Mart patio extension cord and Radio Shack RCA ends, and it sounds REALLY good. Don't feel the need to go out and buy expensive interconnect for it right away- take baby steps with this, because you may not feel the need for them. I did try a Hi-fi tuning fuse, and it did make a difference, but for me was not as big of a difference as some others have stated. I got a C7 to IEC adapter, and am using a Tube Audio Design "Iron Lung" Jellyfish power cord with good results. I may try the PS Audio C7 Power Punch at some point.

Now, what I really like is running it through my Musical Fidelity X10v3 Tube Buffer. To me it gives it a little bit of tube flavor and warmth, and strengthens the bass a bit. It was when I did this that I said WOW, I think I have found what I was looking for, without having to spend alot of money. I have now bought a second PS 1 off of Ebay for experimental purposes, and will be trying some mods that are talked about in the forums.

I whole heartedly recommend you to try a PS1. Even without running it through a tube buffer, it really did drop my jaw. Is it as good as $6K player as the article in 6Moons states? Probably not, but then again I am not qualified to say if it is or not. But, it may convince you to sell what you have now and pocket the extra cash. I am actaully quite afraid to compare it to my Cambridge 840C player in my 2 channel rig, in fear that I just might prefer the PS1. It is finding things like this for so little money that sometimes remind me why this hobby is so much fun.

This morning, I decided to cut my Monster Cable Gamelink 300 AV cable down to 1m and solder on some Neutrik gold pin RCA connectors. I used the Cardas quad eutectic Silver solder compound. Using the AV Multi Out port bypasses the op amp buffered output on the RCA audio output jacks. I can't really hear any significant differences between using my Onix Blue interconnect cables through the RCA's and using the Monster Cable GameLink 300 cable through the AV Multi Out port. One thing is for sure, it still sounds good, and I was really enjoying my Jacintha and Bill Evans CD's. Perhaps the PS1 isn't the ultimate CD player, but it let's me enjoy my CD's and hear the interplay between musicians and the emotion of a perforance.

I agree Playstations as Red Book CD players may not be for everyone. The Playstation doesn't sound good if the laser intensity level isn't properly set, or if the signal and power connectors have heavy oxide buildup on them. I can't emphasize maintenance enough with these units. Most used units have been abused, or at least, not very well maintained. When I bought mine, I cleaned the laser lens, all connector contacts and adjusted the laser intensity level as described in Mick Feuerbacher's Web site.