Philips cd610 - is modern stuff that much better?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I know it's subjective, but would a modern budget cd player, such as a marantz cd5004, be a huge improvement on my old Philips cd610 from 1990?

I did notice a small improvement when I plugged my 10 year old, 100 quid toshiba DVD player, but currently have a mushy sound, boomy bass, weak MUDs, and brittle treble.

Cambridge audio a1 mk3se, eltax monitor 3.

Trying to upgrade bits but not sure what first.

Help much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

It would be a big improvement .the sound would have more detail with cleaner bass and top end .but it all depends what your after.i love old amps from the 1970,s.i went down the old cd player route and they where ok for the money and good for there day but in my mind not as good as a new middle of the road cd player.

 

[Overdose]

Hi,

I know it's subjective, but would a modern budget cd player, such as a marantz cd5004, be a huge improvement on my old Philips cd610 from 1990?

Trying to upgrade bits but not sure what first.

Indeed it is subjective. You won't really hear a vast difference between the CD players, I'd imagine.

As for upgrade routes, that depends entirely on budget and what you want out of your system.

 

[Anonymous]

i have the marantz cd 52 mk2 and a onkyo c7070 rhe differance is vast

 

[paradiziac]

I know it's subjective, but would a modern budget cd player, such as a marantz cd5004, be a huge improvement on my old Philips cd610 from 1990?

Probably not.

Those old Phillips/Marantz CD players are still held in high esteem today by DIY-ers. Since you've already got a reasonable CD player, I'd look at speakers/amps first if you're looking to upgrade.

 

[paradiziac]

I've got the same Phillips TDA1541 DAC chip in my DAC and I have a Marantz CD48 in a second system. The sound is more fluid than many of today's DAC/CD players.

 

[richardw42]

I had a 610 mk 2. I remember it being a really good player.

That would have been 20 or so years ago and perhaps it's not as good as I remember but I'd like to have anther listen to one.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. Food for thought. I think I might keep the 610 then.

What am I trying to achieve? Well, I was just listening to Mingus ah um, and my little set up sounds pretty good when there's space in the music and it's not too busy - good bass and nice smooth highs. It's the same with all styles of music, but when it gets busy with more notes flying out and the intensity increases, it looses definition fast. It sort of sounds 2d, flat and muddy, the opposite of what I want. Guitar music is the same.

Im looking for definition and punch. Is that the cd player, amp or speakers not keeping up? Or all 3?

Cheers.

 

[lindsayt]

It's mainly the speakers. Try some different ones. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much difference a better pair of speakers will make.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, thanks. That gives me something to go on. I'm thinking 150 quid. Would wharfdale 10.1 units fit the bill? Or Qa 2020i? Or Dali zensor 1?

 

[Anonymous]

Changing the speakers is a start but the eltax and the Cambridge are both on the bright side of things and your not happy with your dull lifeless sound .i would try a different cd player as well .