Question Is there something wrong with my hearing???

[Miguel Telles]

Hello

I'm new around here... And I have a lot of questions for the experts in this "audio world" LOL...

Ok, so long story short.

I have a Rotel RCD-930AX since the 90´s... Some time ago it started to have problems. Don't recognize de Cds and only plays them whenever it feels like it... I guess it needs a little maintenance.

So, I bought a new one. Nothing to fancy because lately I listen mostly to Tidal... Read some reviews and found a good deal on a Rotel CD11.

Placed the two players on top of my Rotel RA-1572 ( I will speak about this amp in a diferente post), so I could alternate music between them... And... You know what??? I think The old Rotel is much better! More crispy, more detailed, more opened!... Is this possible? I mean, this was my fist Hi Fi system, when I was in my 20´s and couldn't afford more... I remember it was the entry level option. I guess the CD 11 Is also entry level, but it's almost 30 years younger.

So, am I hearing right? Or does this actually makes sense?

Thanks in advance for your replies )

Sorry for the bad English...

 

[12th Monkey]

If it sounds better to you, that really is all that matters!

 

[Miguel Telles]

If it sounds better to you, that really is all that matters!

Yes, I guess you are right... But it seems strange to me... I'm really doubting of my hearing capabilities ...

 

[Gray]

Proof (if it was needed) that newer doesn't have to mean better.
It can take a while to fully appreciate a different sound - probably not gonna happen for you though Miguel.
I doubt there's anything wrong with your hearing.....I SAID I DOUBT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOUR HEARING!

 

[bigfish786]

Can you return the CD11 and try something else?

 

[Miguel Telles]

Proof (if it was needed) that newer doesn't have to mean better.
It can take a while to fully appreciate a different sound - probably not gonna happen for you though Miguel.
I doubt there's anything wrong with your hearing.....I SAID I DOUBT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOUR HEARING!

hahahahhahahahahahahahahaha ))))

That was Funny LOL...

I don't think that's a question of getting use to it. It just doesn't have that... ... "sparkle" ( for a lack of a better word) in the high end, that I appreciate so much.

It seems dark... Just a little bit, but it's enough for me to notice it...

You are going to laugh with my next post ... Just wait until I talk about the amplifier hehehehe... That's the amazing part ...

Oh... You can speak normally, I'm wearing my hearing aid )))) lol

 

[Miguel Telles]

Can you return the CD11 and try something else?

No, I bought second hand, with months of use... It´s almost new...

But I'm going to try it as a transport, I'm just waiting for a coax cable.

Thanks for the reply

 

[bigfish786]

If you haven’t spent much time listening to it, give it a few more hours. It may grow on you

 

[Al ears]

Different DACs generations apart will give a different presentation, plus you are obviously more used to the older one.

 

[Tinman1952]

Don't recognize de Cds and only plays them whenever it feels like it.

Hopefully could be just a dirty laser…you could try a cleaning disc. 👍

 

[Miguel Telles]

If you haven’t spent much time listening to it, give it a few more hours. It may grow on you

Don't think so... It's a much darker sound, I don't like it...

Thanks for your reply

 

[Miguel Telles]

Different DACs generations apart will give a different presentation, plus you are obviously more used to the older one.

I get that, but I thought that a new dac would be much better. I mean, we are talking about digital technology right?

It´s not just a different sound, it's less detailed above all else...

 

[Tinman1952]

I get that, but I thought that a new dac would be much better. I mean, we are talking about digital technology right?

You would think so … but interestingly the latest R2R DACS that everyone is raving about (Denafrips etc) have gone back to the ‘old’ resistor ladder technology rather than delta sigma chips……food for thought?

 

[Miguel Telles]

Hopefully could be just a dirty laser…you could try a cleaning disc. 👍

Yes, probably it's just that... But, even if its a more profound repair. I think it's worth it...

I'm thinking more and more that 90's where the golden age for Rotel... I have a similar experience with the amplifiers but I will leave that for a different post.

 

[Miguel Telles]

You would think so … but interestingly the latest R2R DACS that everyone is raving about (Denafrips etc) have gone back to the ‘old’ resistor ladder technology rather than delta sigma chips……food for thought?

That's very interesting!... Didn't know that... Thanks

 

[bigfish786]

Don't think so... It's a much darker sound, I don't like it...

Thanks for your reply

It sounds like you have made a mistake in buying this unit. If that is the case, then you need to sell it.
Maybe you would prefer the cd11 tribute model?
Or maybe try Cyrus CD Player instead. They may suit you better.

 

[Al ears]

It sounds like you have made a mistake in buying this unit. If that is the case, then you need to sell it.
Maybe you would prefer the cd11 tribute model?
Or maybe try Cyrus CD Player instead. They may suit you better.

To tailor the sound to that which suits you most it is probably better to buy a transport only then you can mess around with various DACs

 

[Miguel Telles]

It sounds like you have made a mistake in buying this unit. If that is the case, then you need to sell it.
Maybe you would prefer the cd11 tribute model?
Or maybe try Cyrus CD Player instead. They may suit you better.

Probably... But I don't listen to a lot of cds lately... So, in all honesty, I didn't put a lot of energy in this purchase... Just read some reviews...

I'm hoping that using it as a transport would resolve the issue. If not... I guess it's going away...

What would be, in your opinion a good cd player, in the entry level market? Or a cheap second hand option...

I'm done with Rotel... They're new stuff it's not for me...

That Cyrus, you talked about... is it expensive?

Thanks for your reply

 

[Miguel Telles]

To tailor the sound to that which suits you most it is probably better to buy a transport only then you can mess around with various DACs

That's what I'm thinking ...

It's cheaper then buying good cd players... lol

 

[bigfish786]

What cables are you using with the Rotel? Out of interest.

 

[Tinman1952]

What cables are you using with the Rotel? Out of interest.

Oh no…! 😂

 

[Miguel Telles]

What cables are you using with the Rotel? Out of interest.

They should be good! They costed more then the CD Player LOL ...

Qed Signature Audio 40

 

[Miguel Telles]

Oh no…! 😂

hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha ))))

 

[bigfish786]

It was worth asking, as you never know what people use.
🙄

 

[Miguel Telles]

It was worth asking, as you never know what people use.
🙄

Off course ...

And I used the same cable on both cd players

I'm thinking that I should look more into 90's gear... Maybe I will save a lot of money ...