Need Help Regarding CD-Players And HQ Audio With Headphones (On A Budget)

[Hidden-Vulture]

I have been interested in upgrading my CD player for a while, so I can get better audio. I currently just have an old Philips portable CD player from the 2000s (no line-out port), and while it's fine for going outside, I'd prefer an at-home system with superior audio quality on a budget (less than $200), AND with headphones in mind. I must specify headphones because almost all information I have found regarding HQ sound-systems for CDs revolve around soundspeakers/loudspeakers. I cannot purchase any for familial reasons, plus I currently have decent headphones I would like to utilize. (Audio Technica ATH M50x's).

I have spent months digging for ways to have a mostly cheap setup, and most people online I have seen suggest purchasing a DVD-player (for the CDs), and an AV receiver with a line-out port to connect to an external amp/DAC. However, I could not find any information regarding how to incorporate headphones into a setup like this. Assuming I'd use the AV receiver's built-in headphone port (where else would they go? The air?), I worry there could be issues with audio connection. (The same reason I couldn't get RCA for the portable setup since the connection would become distorted with so much interference via the headphone jack port.)

Another thing is I saw very mixed information about DVD-players. Some people said they resulted in worse sound, while others said they sound good. Ultimately, I'm just lost for what to do. I cannot afford an expensive system; I would just like decent sound for my CDs and headphones.

Thanks for reading this! I'm quite a newbie in this as you can tell...

 

[LTig]

I have been interested in upgrading my CD player for a while, so I can get better audio. I currently just have an old Philips portable CD player from the 2000s (no line-out port),

You could use the headphone output of your portable CD player to feed a separate headphone amp well suited to your headphone. You just need a cable with the matching connectors.

 

[Joe Smith]

Hi! I am very value-conscious in all things, including audio, so we are of like mind. For a nice value system using headphones... Depending on where you are, you should be able to find a decent Sony, Denon or other multi-format CD/DVD deck that has RCA, optical and coax out. My favorite unit for this purpose is a SONY DVP=NS300 CD/DVD deck, with has nice panel controls without use of a remote, and can be had for below $40. Then, get a dedicated headphone amp; my recommendations are always the current Schiit Magni or the JDS Labs Atom 2, both aropund $120. These have more than enough power for your headphones. Later, if you want, you can get the matching DAC for either amp to put in between the deck and the amp - but the DAC in the SONY deck is already quite good - you wouldn't hear much difference. But with the DAC, you would then have a good digital input for streaming, if you want to do that now or later. Happy hunting! Lost of good ways to do this below $200.

There are a few compact CD new decks out now from SMSL - you can read the reviews on this site - but they are a bit tough to get in the US, and some folks have reported issues with the cheaper model. While I like the form factor, older quality CD/DVD decks are pretty bulletproof, I haven't had a laser or sled fail yet and some of my decks are 25+ years from manufacture date.

Oh yeah - so both the DACs I mentioned have a swichable input, so you can have both USB in and optical or coax connected at the same time. I believe the JDS model only has USB and optical, but the Modi has all three inputs available. A lot of the older CD decks have digital out Coax only, but it's ideal to find one that also has optical, then you have more flexibility. That's why I like the above Sony deck.

 

[Hidden-Vulture]

Hi! I am very value-conscious in all things, including audio, so we are of like mind. For a nice value system using headphones... Depending on where you are, you should be able to find a decent Sony, Denon or other multi-format CD/DVD deck that has RCA, optical and coax out. My favorite unit for this purpose is a SONY DVP=NS300 CD/DVD deck, with has nice panel controls without use of a remote, and can be had for below $40. Then, get a dedicated headphone amp; my recommendations are always the current Schiit Magni or the JDS Labs Atom 2, both aropund $120. These have more than enough power for your headphones. Later, if you want, you can get the matching DAC for either amp to put in between the deck and the amp - but the DAC in the SONY deck is already quite good - you wouldn't hear much difference. But with the DAC, you would then have a good digital input for streaming, if you want to do that now or later. Happy hunting! Lost of good ways to do this below $200.

There are a few compact CD new decks out now from SMSL - you can read the reviews on this site - but they are a bit tough to get in the US, and some folks have reported issues with the cheaper model. While I like the form factor, older quality CD/DVD decks are pretty bulletproof, I haven't had a laser or sled fail yet and some of my decks are 25+ years from manufacture date.

Oh yeah - so both the DACs I mentioned have a swichable input, so you can have both USB in and optical or coax connected at the same time. I believe the JDS model only has USB and optical, but the Modi has all three inputs available. A lot of the older CD decks have digital out Coax only, but it's ideal to find one that also has optical, then you have more flexibility. That's why I like the above Sony deck.

Thank you very much! This really made my day.

 

[DVDdoug]

The headphone output can double as a line-output and a "home CD player" might not sound better...

On the other hand, different headphones (or different speakers) will sound different. The ATH M50X was reviewed here and it's got an upper bass boost and some weakness in the deep-bass which Amir was able to correct with parametric EQ. But parametric EQ can be "difficult" if you're source is not a computer.

But regular graphic EQ, or simple bass & treble controls can make a bigger difference than swapping electronics.

With speakers and headphones "sound quality" is mostly about frequency response (bass, treble, and the whole frequency range). EQ is the easiest solution (and often free if you can use software).

But sometimes if you boost the bass you can end-up driving the speaker, headphone, or amplifier into distortion... You can't get "realistic bass" you can feel in your body from a speaker with a small woofer.

Or if you have an idea about what you'd like to change you can compare the curves in the various reviews here and maybe try a different pair of headphones. The good news is with headphones there is almost no correlation between price and sound quality. (That's not the case with speakers.) For example, the AKG K371 is about the same price as the ATH M50X and it gets excellent reviews for sound quality (except for slightly exaggerated deep bass). ...But it seems to have a reputation for being fragile.

Note that headphones "sound different" from speakers and unlike electronics and speakers, flat frequency response doesn't sound right.
The Harman Curve
Understanding Headphone Measurements (video)

and most people online I have seen suggest purchasing a DVD-player (for the CDs)

Note that most "modern" DVD players and Blu-Ray players don't have an analog output and most don't have a display to show the track number. They are expecting you to use a TV.

Assuming I'd use the AV receiver's built-in headphone port (where else would they go?

Yes.

Another thing is I saw very mixed information about DVD-players. Some people said they resulted in worse sound

Usually FALSE. Of course it's POSSIBLE to get differences but most of these things... most electronics, actually... are better than human hearing. The guys making these claims are almost never doing proper blind listening tests or backing-up what they hear with measurements.
What is a blind ABX test?
Controlled Audio Blind Listening Tests

 

[Joe Smith]

One nice aspect of streaming from PC to DAC to a headphone amp is that it's then very easy to EQ the headphones you own. But you'd have to give that up for CD to DAC to amp in a simple setup. Now that I'm on Linux Mint, I use Easy Effects, but had been using Windows programs to accomplish same, previously.

I listened to a lot of headphones under $150, still a big fan of the AKG K361 headphones. I have not found them to be particularly fragile, just replaced the ear pads after 5 years of regular use. But I recall the AT phones you have sounded pretty good, too.

Oh, and yeah, in name brand DVD decks, sound quality is going to be comparable to reasonably priced CD-alone decks (Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon). The main thing to make sure of this when buying/auditioning is that the tray is fairly firm and you don't get any disk noise/audible vibration when playing. My one Onkyo SACD-capable deck is annoying in this regard, when close to it you can hear a bit of vibration. They just didn't make the plastic tray stiff enough.