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From: greg@olivee.UUCP (Greg Paley)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: Take the CD challenge!
Message-ID: <451@olivee.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12-Aug-85 09:37:05 EDT
Article-I.D.: olivee.451
Posted: Mon Aug 12 09:37:05 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 17-Aug-85 06:36:46 EDT
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Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
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> There is,therefore, some reason to suspect that audible differences
> between units are somewhat exaggerated (i.e., mostly BS). However, this
> is not yet proven. Far from it. In fact, it is theoretically impossible
> to prove such a position.
> 

I think that this is the type of thing that's futile to argue in writing
on the net.  Anyone seriously concerned about sonic differences should
attempt to hear them for himself rather than deciding that whoever has
the greatest verbal clout must be right.  As to the manner of making
listening comparisons, it seems to me that the sort of rigorous conditions
suggested in other articles should be no more necessary in evaluating
CD players than in evaluating speakers or phono cartridges.  That is,
if it is otherwise that difficult to detect a difference, then that
difference can't be that significant to you.

I, personally, have been able to hear definite differences between various
CD players.  However, hearing a difference and making a preference can
be two different things altogether since it's rarely the case that the
strengths and weaknesses of two different players are so simply stacked
up on opposing sides.

My own sonic preferences led me to choose the Magnavox 3040 over the
Sony 302 or others in the same price bracket.  Similarly, I preferred
the sound of the Audioquest 404 cartridge over the Shure V15/5MR.  On
the other hand, the reference system used by the panel who write the
"Sounds in Retrospect" column for Gramophone magazine, who could well
afford to use whatever they pleased, utilizes the Shure V15/5MR and the
Sony CDP-101.

Incidentally, my own method of choosing equipment is to use what you
might call a "top down" approach.  That is, rather than just comparing
directly units within my price category, I make a point of trying to
listening to the very best available at any price and then try to find
the components in my price class which capture the same characteristics
as closely as possible.  In the case of CD players, I listened to the
Revox, Nakamichi, and top NEC and Kyocera models before choosing within
my budget.

	- Greg Paley