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Mid-priced CDPs: Old vs. new technology

I’ve been pretty much out of the digital loop for a while, content with my inexpensive, aging Sony CD player. Now I’m trying to catch up, so please excuse the massive ignorance I’m about to display.

In CD players under about $1,500, I see what seem to be older technologies competing with new ones. I’ve read about new DAC technologies with spiffy names like Black Fin (Cambridge) and Sabre (Oppo and Eastern Electric), and I wonder whether they represent a significant improvement over older technologies.

There are players like the Jolida JD 100, which I believe is nearly 10 years old (but still seems to sell quickly on Audiogon). The Rega Apollo, I believe, is a few years old, as is the Njoe Tjoeb and a few other popular players.

Would it be wrong to think of the older technologies (i.e., Jolida, etc.) as obsolete or tending toward it? Are the newer technologies superior or just the “flavors of the month” and/or marketing hype? Thanks for any thoughts you may have.
-Bob
hesson11
toetapfactor
77 posts
 
Why spend more then $60, including shipping? SonyStyle sells refurb's of the 595 changer from time to time. Best to get one and judge for your self. Hey, if you don't like it Sony will pick it up for free and give you all your money back. The 595 holds it own against $1500 players, I know as I have two high end players.

Thats one of the dumbest statement Ive read on this site.
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
To get back to your questions, in my opinion, CD players have improved with the improvement in chips. Bear in mind that upsampling is not always done well. Some manufacturers prefer older chips. The tube output CDPs are in a separate class and I used to own the Jolida 100. Now I wish I still had it. As fewer CDPs are produced, we will have fewer to choose from and I think it will come down to either super crappy ones and elegant expensive ones. Many, like myself, have gone to separate DACs and some kind of transport-CDP/DVD/BR.
hesson11 OP
237 posts
 
Thanks a lot, Tgrisham. I've read of some dissatisfaction with upsampling. That's one of the reasons I'm curious about the advantages (or disadvantages) of the "latest, hottest" technology. It's also interesting that you speak highly of the Jolida, even after experiencing some of the more recent players/DACs shown in your system. Thanks very much for your thoughts.

Thanks to you, too, Viridian. It seems your thoughts on old vs. new gear is similar to Tgrisham's. Very informative, and I appreciate it.
-Bob
Post removed 
hesson11 OP
237 posts
 
My apologies if I misunderstood, Viridian, but my reference to the similarity in your opinions was based on the fact that you both indicated that older players still had at least some good things going for them in comparison to newer ones. That was the general thrust of my question and perhaps that's what I focused on in reading your replies.
-Bob
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