Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site olivee.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!dual!qantel!hplabs!oliveb!olivee!greg 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 References: <3339@decwrl.UUCP> <436@petrus.UUCP> <1295@houxm.UUCP> Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca Lines: 40 > 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