Sony CDP-790
Michael Hui
electronics from Sony, and its published specs are almost comparable to the ES
series. I am trying to decide between the 790, 990 and 209ES.
The interesting thing is that the 209ES seem to have only a single D/A
converter, while the lower priced 790 has two D/A converters. Both do 1 to 8
samples interpolation (i.e. 8 times oversampling). The 990 does 16 times OS.
The CDP-X33ES is nice too, but a bit too expensive. Is it true that that's the
least expensive model with their 'linear motor transport'? I think that refers
to their laser carrier arm being controlled by 'voice coil actuators', just
like in winchester disk drives. The 790 and 990 also has rather fast seek
times, but I cannot tell whether they use a lead screw or voice coil actuators.
Does anyone know if they have new models coming out soon, in the 990 and X33ES
price range? I remember a few years back the lowest priced Sony CD player was
selling for exactly the same price as the CDP-790 sells for now, and the
CDP-790 certainly sounds a bit better, and has a lot more features.
The depreciation rate of CD players seem to be as bad as microcomputers.
--
Michael MY Hui Ottawa Canada my...@bnr.ca
Tim Bray
>... the latest 1-bit D/A electronics ... specs are almost comparable ... only
>a single D/A converter ... two D/A converters ... 1 to 8 samples interpolation
>... 16 times OS ... 'linear motor transport' ... laser carrier arm being
>controlled by 'voice coil actuators' ... a lead screw or voice coil actuators
>...
Well, to start with, remember that this is supposed to be a *musical*
instrument, so the issue is more of sound than technology. The conventional
wisdom seems to be shifting in the direction of 'yes, there are audible
differences between CD players'. Among those for whom this is an article of
faith, e.g. the hi-end audio mags, there doesn't seem (yet) to be a consensus
that 1-bit is better than 16+oversampling D/A. There are good and bad
products of either type. It is also the case that none of the audio rags
have been able to fish out a single measurement that correlates significantly
with how the thing is alleged to sound.
In these circles, players including the Rotel, JVC, Meridian, top-end Sony,
and CAL have been said to sound better; they include a wildly varying set of
technical strategies, including 1-bit and many-bit. I am acquainted
personally only with the Rotel 855 (multi-bit) - it is certainly good enough
to let the other links in the system start showing their weaknesses.
Interestingly, Rotel has recently introduced the 865 (1-bit); there is no
consensus that it sounds noticeably better.
>The depreciation rate of CD players seem to be as bad as microcomputers.
That's for sure. In particular portables, where the ethos of 'use for a
couple of years, then throw out' has pretty well taken hold.
Tim Bray, Open Text Systems
Gary L Dare
>
>In these circles, players including the Rotel, JVC, Meridian,
>top-end Sony,
Could somebody tell me (or post) where the Sony top-end starts? The
508 ESD is one model my brother is considering, among others. I don't
know if the X33 or other single-bit models are available in Canada
yet. He's like I would be, looking for something midline with good
solid engineering and few bells and whistles on the outside.
Someone else has pointed him to Carver, but I don't know if this model
has their "Time Lens" phase correction (or is there only the "Time
Lens" model?). Someone else had a *huge* Denon 1520 vs. Sony review
about one year ago, but I didn't save it; could someone send me their
copy so I can print one out for my bro?
Michael Hui:
>>The depreciation rate of CD players seem to be as bad as microcomputers.
>That's for sure. In particular portables, where the ethos of 'use
>for a couple of years, then throw out' has pretty well taken hold.
That's a damn shame, because a lot of the last-generation players are
pretty decent and half the time the problems that crop up are solved
by cleaning the laser and/or pickup lens. I have a mid-line Technics
420 that has served me very well and whatever you may think of it, the
isolation from dust is very good.
gld
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Je me souviens ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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> g...@cunixD.cc.columbia.EDU Tyson KO'd! (p.3) Monday
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