Do CD Megachangers suck? Any solutions to improve them?

[anonymouse]

In a number of threads on here, the overwhelming opinion is that a high end single CD transport is the only way to go for quality reproduction.

I'm tired of swapping CD's in and out and the lack of convenience of not having a vast CD collection accessible by remote.

So what is the problem with megachangers? Is it the transport itself or the DAC? Would the addition of a high end external DAC to an off the shelf 300CD megachanger approach the quality of a single CD unit?

I'm thinking of buying a Sony CX355 and hooking it to a Parasound 2000 DAC. Anybody tried this or have an opinion?

[danger boy]

a DAC will more than likely improve your sound from your megachanger.. worth a try. but if you have a POS megachanger... then even a DAC may not help it sound that good.

like they say.. garbage in, garbage out..

I use a Marantz CC4300 5 CD changer.. and i love it.. sounds really good to me.. even without an external DAC. i use good high quality interconnects from IXOS... i used the optical output.. and it sounded terrible.

[John K.]

Anon, this is simply another old audiophiles' tale that is incessantly recirculated despite the lack of any factual basis. A changer moves the CD into playing position; once it gets there it plays just as it would in a single disc player. Excellent megachangers such as the Sony CX 355 reproduce the CDs with flat response from 20-20KHz and with inaudibly low noise and distortion. There's nothing more than that to be accomplished and claims to the contrary collapse when subjected to properly controlled blind listening tests. No need whatever to be concerned about the DACs; these are now a very mature technology and manufacturers are able to buy chips which work without audible flaws for around $1 each in large quantities.

You're entirely correct about the convenience of having hundreds of CDs stored and available with the push of a couple buttons. I learned this years ago and would never again seriously consider a single disc player. Don't allow yourself to be a victim of mythologies. Get that Sony and enjoy your collection.

[reeltrouble1]

My jukebox CD changer makes a great storage unit, it keeps my discs nice and safe and catalogue's them by title, performer and gender, I dial up the disc it spins around opens its door and spits the disc out to me so I can put it in a decent player. Hell, if you designed an automated rack to do that it would cost thousands!!!

Hooking my DAC to it did make a noticeable improvement to where I could at least listen to it without wanting to cover my ears with muffs. It was a decent jump no doubt still not as good though as my dedicated cd players.

RT1

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I stopped actually reading John K's post about a year ago - then started skimming them for the comical value...

Regardless...

I use to be a big CD Changer buff (5 disc) - never really had a fondness of the big ones as to many moving parts = bad reliability to me.

But now Im sporting a single disc and yes, while the conienence of multiple disc isnt there anymore, I think it sounds loads better. The single disc is actually the size of my 5 disc changers (depth that is)...

While I think a carousel type design is great, the single disc is a lil better - but the megachangers is something you put in a "bar-type enviorment" that involves constant, random music...

[Emlyn]

I used to have two megachangers about 10 years ago and eventually gave them to the Salvation Army. The sound quality was okay through analog outputs, about on par with current high bit-rate MP3 sound quality. Slightly improved when using optical connections to a Denon receiver. The problem with megachangers is not the DACs but everything else in the box being the cheapest possible component (disc transport, op amps, power supply, etc). If someone is really into convenience these days, I'd recommend investing in a music server. But, the megachangers can be made to produce better sound with an external DAC. I'd suggest the Benchmark DAC because of its ability to take a digital signal from a cheap CD player and reduce jitter. The Parasound DAC2000 works better with a transport that is already first rate, like some DVD players.

[F1nut]

Thanks Johnny, I needed a good laugh!!!

[dorokusai]

I've always liked the megachanger idea and the Sony ES or Pioneer Elite are about as decent as they come. I wouldn't use one for a reference source, but they don't sound horrible, as I've heard horrible.

Emlyn mentioned something that I think will eventually kill that whole idea...music servers.

[ahorvitz]

I use a Pioneer Elite 301 DVD player as my main CD source. I'm no expert, but I've heard a number jukeboxes over the years and it's as good as any. I think it holds it own against any of the entry level single disc players. Is it a "high-end" source? No, but I have no complaints, though I may pick up a better source down the line.

It sounds better over analog than digital... odd, since I think both my receiver and source have the same DAC.

[tonyb]

Try a tube buffer...like the Musical fidelity.Most like them and can be had for under 300 bucks and if you don't like it you can always re-sell it for what you paid for it.Just my .02:)

[heiney9]

Yep, John K. as in Krack pot.

I suppose you think 150 Ferrari h.p. is the same as 150 Ford h.p. 150=150 so it must be same. I bet you live a very sterile and uninteresting life Mr. Spock. Logic kills the senses when it comes to stimuli.

H9

[anonymouse]

I'd suggest the Benchmark DAC because of its ability to take a digital signal from a cheap CD player and reduce jitter. The Parasound DAC2000 works better with a transport that is already first rate, like some DVD players.

Is jitter an issue with any modern CDP? I have read that the samples are read off the disc into a RAM buffer. As the buffer becomes full, a local crystal oscillator then "clocks-out" the samples in a reliable manner, independent of the transport and reading mechanisms. i.e. timebase correction.

[DarqueKnight]

Is jitter an issue with any modern CDP?

Yes, even with expensive (multiple 1000's of $'s) players. That is why there is a brisk business in modifying high end CD and SACD players with more precise master clocks.

[F1nut]

I agree in part with Raife's comment. There are a number of "expensive" players that will still benefit from a better clock, but there are a greater number of "expensive" players that have excellent clocks to start with. It's generally considered that a jitter rating of 150pS or below is excellent and inaudible.

[heiney9]

Also many many players of today use opamps instead of discrete circuits. Not always the best way to control the audio signal. It's inexpensive and saves space and it does get the job done, but discrete input and output stages with their own power supplies and a Dac chip for each channel (which is rare these days) is where you will notice a marked improvement in performance; unless your John K.

H9

[steveinaz]

I like the "Sony" sound. They have great pace, punch, and give the music body. They can be a little strident, but for the most part sound real good.

[Sherardp]

If you want a good Sony CD player go for the Sony ES 5 Disc Changer. I did attempt to join Danger Boy and bought a Marantz player but when it arrived it was damaged and made the worst grinding noise when I would attempt to play a CD. If you have the cash look into the Sony ES SCD-C2000ES, its worth every cent.

That Marantz is tits though, its build quality is awesome, I just wish it had worked for me as it has for others here. Look into Denon players as well.

[disneyjoe7]

I like changers sound ok with me, the analog output sounds like shit. I use the optical output feed to my Onk for pre and use my Parasound amps for 2 channel. Not as sweet as others here but overall I say it's great sounding, my upgrade future thinking is changer feeding a Parasound 2000 DAC driving a Cary 98L pre replacing my Onk for 2 channel operation.

[univera]

I know the main question was megachangers, but I found this player while researching Anthem products. 5 disk changer with HDCD, great reviews, and probably a good price if you can find one since its been out for a while. Anthem CD 1 http://audioreview.com/mfr/anthem/cd-players/PRD_117112_1586crx.aspx