2. digital
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Is there a cd player that sounds close to an LP?

I am not sure what to do at this point. My system sounds great when I play my turntable.
I have a Marantz CD-67SE CD player, not high end by any means, but not a bad lower end player, so I thought. When I play CDs the brightness actually hurts my ears when I turn the volume up a bit.
I have been considering buy new cables for the speakers, maybe control this brightness, MIT T2's. Then was thinking, hate to ruin the sound I currently have from my platter. The highs and bass are perfect.
I have been considering buying an older tube CD player, in search of a warmer sound. I am thinking an Anthem CD1, a Conrad Johnson DV2B, maybe a Sonic Frontiers SFCD1. Not really sure what to buy.
Am I on the right track? I hate to change the sound of my system for CD's, and take away from the sound of my lp's.
Is there really a CD player out there that sounds even close to a LP? Maybe one that I might be able to pick up used for about a grand?
Any suggestions here, sure appreciate it!

Thank you.
johnymac
danvetc
527 posts
 
You probably have "bright" audiophile type speakers and there is a particular drop off in your cartridge that offsets the tizziness that is inherent in you speakers. (It probably does sound better.) Don't use cables as tone controls, I bet you would find your analogue dull sounding when you made the switch. I have heard a few speakers [that were favored by many on these boards] that hurt my ears, so bad that I would not listen to music if that was all that was available. Borrow some other speakers and see if you still find the cd painful. (There are plenty of poorly produced discs that I can't listen to, even with my system, so be sure to get a good one.) There is nothing wrong with a good redbook cd, IMHO, (and also in the opinion of some of the finest recording engineers around.)

Enjoy your music,

Charlie
ohlala
1,235 posts
 
A Cary 303 couldn't be blamed for system brightness, and I doubt, relative to a TT, that it would be bright in a decent system. Its hard to make all the sources happy, but the Cary's tonal balance might work out. Good luck.

PS- Even the ol' CD12 doesn't sound much like vinyl.
rcreations
158 posts
 
pickup a used musical fidelity X10D "the missing link" tube buffer for 125.00 give or take. might just solve your problem without major issues involved. kurt
paulwp
585 posts
 
Like Charlie, I listen to cds all the time. (I also have a turntable to listen to old records.) Except for the occasional bad cd, I never have any fatigue or pain. Nothing bright. And I don't like bright. My speakers are not rolled off. I have measured them. Very extended. I use primarily meridian cdps, but I don't have a problem with a denon cdp in my office either. The difference between analog and digital nowadays has nothing to do with listenability or absence of fatigue. Cds are easy to listen to (except those BMG copies, or whatever they are).

Paul
brauser
524 posts
 
My experience has been that a high-end analog system will
beat a high-end digital system almost every time if......
the analog source is totally tricked-out. Normal everyday listening (to include critical listening) is far more rewarding with the CD player given time and resource contraints.
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