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How can I improve my CD sound?

Anyone out there know the secret as to why I can't listen to cd's on any of my players I've tried or anyone elses either? What is interesting is that I can listen to FM, which is mostly CD's and I don't get the ear pain I get from mine. Why not a bother? Don't give me any easy answers. I've tried them more that likely. I've spoken to the engineers at many radio stations and they all tell me that they are not placing any "correction" electronics at their stations. Got to be an answer to this. Love to be able to to listen to them. Thanks, you guys!.
leegum
steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
Tube dac or CD player. It takes the harshness away and it sounds even better too.
carl109
134 posts
 
How do you go listening to compressed music files (eg mp3)?
If these sound ok like FM radio, it could be that your hearing is especially sensitive to some forms of digital distortion which would be annoying to your ears from a quality CD player and rig, but not audible in compressed files or the dynamically compressed and imperfect nature of FM radio.
Try burning an audio CD from some compressed files (like mp3 or aac) of songs you're familiar with and play that on your rig. I'd be interested to hear what you find.
billeames's avatar
billeames
36 posts
 
Every CD player is different. A laid back sound (What comes to mind first are Marantz SA-11s12? SA-7s1? SA-15s1?). Simaudio? Accuphase? Classe? Read some reviews and try to get a clue from that. Audition carefully. System synergy plays a real big role. Thanks

Bill
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>It takes the harshness away<<

Hardly.

Not all solid state is harsh/etchy and not all tubes are lush/warm.

>>and it sounds even better too.<<

Totally untrue.

Most of the best digital gear is solid state.
tweak1
3,671 posts
 
No question, CD is an unforgiving medium. It's takes attention to detail and a good player. Everything matters- power cord, interconnects, vibration control/isolation, demagnetizing discs before play, cleaning off the mold release, treating the surface...
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