High-end CD player vs. DVD-A; an A/B test comparison

Posted by Arafel (R) on May 12, 2003 at 22:22:15

I must say tonight has been a revelation for me. I just picked up the new Denon universal player today and hooked it into my system, which is 2 channel. I work at SoundTrack in Colorado, and do extensive demos of SACD and DVD-A. The SACDs and DVD-As smoke the CD versions of the same tracks in every system we have in our store. The Denon has proved my favorite universal player so far, so I grabbed it. At home I have the McIntosh CD changer, and after hooking up the Denon decided to do some CD/SACD/DVD-A demos. The amp/pre are a Rogue Magnum 66/88 combo, and the speakers are Logans. All the cabling is Audio Magic, including the power cords. The one difference is that I have the next better grade analog cables on the McIntosh. I was expecting a lot from the SACD/DVD-A player. However, in every A/B I did, the McIntosh matched the SACD and DVD-A. I used Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead, and the Police for comparisons. The differences were subtle at best. So now I wonder whether SACD and DVD-A will take off or not. Based on my instore demos, I would have said yes. But perhaps a high-end CD player, like a McIntosh, or Rega or some such, will do the job better. And considering how many CDs are out there it looks as though high-resolution audio might have a ways to go. Maybe Krell's new SACD player will change my mind.

Oh well.

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Topic - High-end CD player vs. DVD-A; an A/B test comparison - Arafel 22:22:15 05/12/03 (17)

Bad choice of software for a stereo comparison. - Jim Pearce 07:07:21 05/13/03 (14)

Bonjour Jim, - patrickU 10:17:04 05/13/03 (10)

The "hollow voice" is there on the SACD and LP - Jim Pearce 10:32:32 05/13/03 (9)

Re: The "hollow voice" is there on the SACD and LP - patrickU 12:45:07 05/13/03 (8)

Patrick, it is a garden variety EMI, and I did the A/B/C.... - Jim Pearce 06:36:33 05/14/03 (7)

Re: Patrick, it is a garden variety EMI, and I did the A/B/C.... - patrickU 08:28:45 05/14/03 (6)

I "feel" you are full of shit so you must be!! - rick5 16:20:57 05/15/03 (5)

Are you speaking to me ? - patrickU 00:08:30 05/16/03 (0)

Yowza! - Metralla 22:32:19 05/15/03 (3)

I was waiting for you to chime in.......... - Chris Garrett 22:51:19 05/15/03 (2)

Don't make assumptions :) - Arafel 09:07:50 05/16/03 (1)

You're right......that's why I use my real name when I post........ - Chris Garrett 12:15:49 05/16/03 (0)

Re: Bad choice of software for a stereo comparison. - Arafel 08:39:48 05/13/03 (2)

I bought the 30th Anniversary vinyl of DSOTM and... - Jim Pearce 08:55:24 05/13/03 (1)

Re: I bought the 30th Anniversary vinyl of DSOTM and... - Arafel 10:24:18 05/13/03 (0)

Your comparison is still telling - Eric LeRouge 05:42:17 05/13/03 (0)

Again, a better time to review is after break-in. My Sony 9000es was a real disappointment when I - Striving for Musical Clarity 23:47:19 05/12/03 (0)

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