CD player or lossless with DAC

[rab9090]

I currently rip cds using apple lossless and have an Arcam rDac connected to the laptop via usb. Given that the music is in a lossless format would there be any benefits in having a cd player?

Apart from cd players maybe having their own different sounds I can't think how it could change much. Just wondering if I'm missing anything here!

 

[matthewpiano]

You aren't missing anything in sound terms. Whether or not you buy a CD player comes down to whether you like the whole experience of handling physical media - looking through your collection, taking the disc out, reading the booklet etc. - when you listen.

I recently purchased a new Marantz CD player to replace an ageing Marantz CD63SE and I don't regret it one bit, but then I'm still pretty wedded to the concept of physical media.

 

[dannycanham]

My father is into his CDs. He has an Audiolab 8200 as well. I use mine mostly for files. He uses his mostly for CDs. If you get more enjoyment out of one way of doing things its best to do things that way. The nonsense occurs when some try to justify the way they prefer as having improved sound, rather than acknowledging the psychological effect from a happier experience.

 

[rab9090]

Thanks for the replies.

I have some vinyl for the more hands on experience. So as long as I'm not missing anything where sound is concerned I'll avoid the cdplayer I think, and the mess of cds lying around that would probably come with it!

 

[Anonymous]

I'd stay as you are.

I have recently gone from a Cyrus CD6SE to a Squeezebox Touch (with upgraded power supply), and it loses nothing in comparison.

The Cyrus is maybe a little more pacey/punchy, but the squeezebox is more detailed with a richer sound.

I'm more than happy (as is my wife who doesn't have the anooyance of CD cases everywhere!

 

[Anonymous]

What is the upgraded powersupply that you use for the squeezebox touch?

 

[Rethep]

Since 1,5 years i only buy iTunes AAC 256k-files. Some of the good recordings don't leave anything to wish for, and bet i have a set of good equipment! I almost never played all music of a cd and even usually only one or a few songs of one cd, so no standing up anymore and searching in half dark for songs or cd-titles. I use an iPhone and "Remote"-app!

 

[Anonymous]

What is the upgraded powersupply that you use for the squeezebox touch?

Hi,

It's this one - a linear supply with the 's-booster'.

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=267

I only bought it becuase it came with a 30 day money-back guarantee.

I was very sceptical, but in my system it's a no-brainer.

Maybe it's my mains quality, but the improvement is tangible - the sound is more solid, with more sparkle in the treble.

It just makes the music more real, more enjoyable.

YMMV.

 

[Ambrose]

Hi

I just got the sbooster switch mode upgrade (£29 delivered) which is part of the "best of both worlds" product.

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_77&products_id=270

For me, who is still tweaking my SB Touch, has removed a lot of the hardness / brightness from sound and is sounding smoother and more natural now.

Have to agree with jhnpennington that sound is more real and enjoyable. In fact music is making more sense than I have known before...

It's worth trying, even if just the SBooster as only £30 and 30 day return policy if no improvement.

According to Soundcheck, the Sbooster filter tends to have greater impact than the Linear Power Supply.

Ambrose

 

[Anonymous]

I really love to go shopping for CD and bring them back to listen to it.

But I lately bought a UnitiQute and I have to say that it make me think I might never buy another CD player. Sad as it can be.

Computer audio is so simple (well almost..) and fun. And the sound quality is there. (HDtracks and Qobuz are nice for Hi res.)

I'm taking the FLAC path though. No more propetary format ever for me. I lost all my library because of that ten years ago with the Sony format (what ever the format name was).

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[The_Lhc]

I really love to go shopping for CD and bring them back to listen to it.

I still do that now and I've never owned a CD player in the house. Everything gets ripped and listened to via Sonos.

 

[Jason36]

I really love to go shopping for CD and bring them back to listen to it.

I still do that now and I've never owned a CD player in the house. Everything gets ripped and listened to via Sonos.

Same here,

I sold my CD player about 7 months ago and dont miss it one bit. I listen mainly to spotify / Apples Lossless and HiRes FLAC files via a netbook and DAC and controlled through my iPad......I find this an easier experience and never have to get up from my chair.

If theres a CD I desperatly want to own, I go out and buy it, rip it to the Netbook and then place it in storage.

 

[Jason36]

I really love to go shopping for CD and bring them back to listen to it.

I still do that now and I've never owned a CD player in the house. Everything gets ripped and listened to via Sonos.

Same here,

I sold my CD player about 7 months ago and dont miss it one bit. I listen mainly to spotify / Apples Lossless and HiRes FLAC files via a netbook and DAC and controlled through my iPad......I find this an easier experience and never have to get up from my chair.

If theres a CD I desperatly want to own, I go out and buy it, rip it to the Netbook and then place it in storage.

 

[Anonymous]

I use spotify to find music i like, if it sound's good ill often buy it on cd to rip to i-tune's in wav format, unless your a fan of cd as a format i would not buy a cd player.