CD Player with optical out recommendation please...

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The sound quality as a rough guide (excluding the source LP/CD) based on my own experience is:

Transport (CD) - 10%
DAC - 40%
Amp - 20%
Phones/Speakers - 20%
Cables - 10%

The DAC and Amp need low noise power regulation and preferably the DAC should have separate power supplies for the noisy digital signal and quiet analogue.
 
U

User482

Guest
And amidst the genuinely amusing snark any specific player or transport recommendations with optical out?
I wouldn't worry: my Bluray player connects to my amp over digital, and it sounds fine to me.
 

Maenchi

StoneDog
Location
Cornwall
i'd suggest getting a transporter cd player and a dac converter, to my ears the sound is a lot better than a digital cd player.....ahem cough, cough, mutters into hand 'Cambridge audio can be ok'.................:dance:.........
 

Daddy Pig

Veteran
i'd suggest getting a transporter cd player and a dac converter, to my ears the sound is a lot better than a digital cd player.....ahem cough, cough, mutters into hand 'Cambridge audio can be ok'.................:dance:.........
Probably not for those on a budget as you have to pay for a considerable amount of replication... such as the body, internal power converters etc.
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
The sound quality as a rough guide (excluding the source LP/CD) based on my own experience is:

Transport (CD) - 10%
DAC - 40%
Amp - 20%
Phones/Speakers - 20%
Cables - 10%

The DAC and Amp need low noise power regulation and preferably the DAC should have separate power supplies for the noisy digital signal and quiet analogue.
High end CD players tend to have 2 separate power supplies to mitigate the differing needs of the motor/digital section and the DAC/amplifier, I've even seen players with Valve output stages (Musical Fidelity for one)

As for recommendations the Marantz is probably as good as anything at that price point.
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
I could just imagine my 4 year old trying to sit her drink on top!
In my house it'd have a Cat draped across it as soon as it warmed up. :rolleyes:
 

Daddy Pig

Veteran
Talking of valves, I remember around 25 years ago listening to the sennheiser orpheous headphones with dedicated valve amp. A snip at about £12,000, but it did sound rather good!
 

Daddy Pig

Veteran
I still use my Marantz CD63 Ken Ishiwata signature, it must be over 20 years old but is still a thing of beauty

I would buy Marantz again in a flash
Back in the day! (I have the 63se in the loft!)
I much prefer the sound of my naim multibit against bitstream though... much punchier and attacking sound.
 
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