What CD Player would you like to see tested?

[Salt]

Maybe EMT (now Swiss) sees a market for this, then they may relaunch it for some 10 or 20 k€ ...

But seriously: I personally used it for listening while reading in bed via headphone, and since the HP pot is very scratchy, it was only one or two positions where both channels are equally loud.
Made some times ago an AB (sighted) with a modern streaming solution (both connected to an amplifier) and could not elaborate any difference in sound signature. Both sounded neutral as it should be (though measurements do differ a 'bit' ).

 

[NTTY]

I listened to it via the headphones out, using a standard Beyer DT-770 Pro 32ohms. I had to push volume way high to get enough loudness. That said, I only experienced satisfaction.
You’re right, the knob is scratchy, but nothing unusual for an old gear, I’ll fix that.
Like I said, the look, the inside, the engineering, the selected top end parts by BARCO-EMT probably biaised my judgement. But what a pleasure!
The measurements (spoiler alert) will show some issues indeed with high level test tones, and I will request the kind assistance of ASR community to help fix them as I think they are related to some aging components.
And even though I spotted issues, I enjoyed listening to my favorite Pink Floyd album, so what else?
This CD Player is very addictive.

 

[NTTY]

Hello everyone,

The EMT is keeping me busy, I’m learning about it. The one that @Salt sent me seems to have received all optional boards, including the transformers balanced outputs:

I’m unsure of the why these, to drive complex loads downstream?

And yes, OPamps on a socket

Today I was able to test its digital output and the optional board with the ASRC AD1891J converts everything to 48kHz, which I suppose made sense for a device from BARCO to be used in a broadcasting studio with video too. Funnily enough, when fast forwarding/rewinding, it seems the ASRC is bypassed, and so the output goes down to 44.1kHz which makes my input interface going nuts, as in "oh come on, dude, make up your mind, you want 44.1kHz or 48kHz?"

The clock is surprisingly precise, at the limit of what I can measure, and that is 0.5ppm deviation only. But the variable pitch is generating what I understand to be digital random noise, like what I saw with the Marantz CD5400. I’m still investigating.

The drive is very resistant to scratched CDs. I suspect advanced digital buffering, as I think there is that optional board too. It never stops reading, even in the worst case scenario (4mm dropouts). It’s one of the best I measured. I guessed that was a good sales pitch to a broadcaster.

I’m preparing the script for the review, there will be a lot to talk about!

 

[audio_tony]

Sony CDP190
Pioneer PD6700

@NTTY Have you had any thoughts about testing minidisc players?

 

[Salt]

Hmm, that transformers could be a relict from turntable history of EMT as they used it in all their TT for MC except 938, perhaps meant to filter some 'digital noise'?

 

[NTTY]

USER=1939]@NTTY[/USER] Have you had any thoughts about testing minidisc players?

Not really, it is a lossy format, and I would not know how to create a master test CD for that.

 

[fuzzy_logic]

I'd be interested in a review of the Pro-ject CD Box E if you can get your hands on it. Be interesting to see how it compares to the other budget offerings from Fiio and Moondrop

 

[NTTY]

EMT 982 review published! It was lots of fun and a real discovery for me. I loved it. Thanks again @Salt

 

[Salt]

Pleasure to help to lift some obscured knowledge

 

[JRR]

Makes me so angry with magazines like What Hifi. All those wasted hours reading nonsense!

It was entertaining at least.

 

[ripmixburn]

Thanks for this work! I'd love a CD player that also worked well as a USB DAC for my desk running into powered monitor. A shame the Discdream fell short in that respect.

This one looks promising…

SHANLING EC ZERO T R2R Tube Portable CD Player​

 

[tpd]

Made a quick initial post regarding my Arcam CD92 dCS Ring DAC.

Follow up promised when I have time to dig up my research, and again when I get my workbench back together and can fix the power supply issues.

 

[NTTY]

TASCAM CD-200 and Onkyo DX-7355 fully measured. Who's the winner?

Hint:

Reviews to come soon.

 

[Kr2d2]

Looks exactly like in my Stax earspeaker system with/into a RME Dac on top!

I am very excited, Flo!

 

[NTTY]

Looks exactly like in my Stax earspeaker system with/into a RME Dac on top!

I am very excited, Flo!

I prioritized the review of the TASCAM for you since you were the first to talk about it

I need to perform the physical drive tests to complement the review.

For the price, I think this a very good CD Player that everyone should consider.

 

[zeropoint]

Onkyo C-7000R

Arcam CDS50

Marantz CD17mkII

 

[NTTY]

I updated the review of the TASCAM and @Kr2d2, you’ll be happy to know it’s the best drive I tested so far when it comes to extract data from a CD!

 

[JaccoW]

Here are a couple of fun ones I came across recently;

Dunu Concept R CD-player

• 24-bit R-2R ladder DAC
• 2.08" Monochrome OLED Display
• $750

Shanling EC Zero T

• R2R DAC + Tubes
• Dual JAN6418 Tube Output & TPA6120 Headphone Amplifier
• Transistor / Tube Mode Output Switching
• $590

Both are chunky boys but honestly, I think both would look great as part of a system as well. Especially that Dunu.

 

[Count Arthur]

I quite like the looks, especially of the Dunu, the slide volume control and the buttons have very 80s Hi-Fi appeal.

However, I'm not sure why they would opt to use R2R DACs, it adds cost and they don't generally outperform DAC chips from ESS, AKM, Cirrus Logic, etc..

 

[Roland68]

I'd also like to add the Sony DVP-NS900V to the list.

The Sony DVP-NS900V was considered an exceptional player when it was released, both for SACD and CD formats. According to many, its sound was far above its price. A German hi-fi magazine even created a new device class specifically to avoid having to compare it as a CD player with other devices. This would have caused problems for some of their advertisers with much more expensive devices.

The internal structure is interesting. A completely separate analog section with its own analog circuit board and R-Core transformer for the power supply. The switching power supply for the display, drive, and AV is also extensively filtered.
There are completely separate connections for stereo and 5.1, as well as digital outputs as coaxial and Toslink.
The chassis is highly reinforced and resonance-optimized, making the device very stable and, even without the cover, very torsionally rigid. When playing CDs and SACDs, the device is very quiet and makes little noise. The drawer also slides in and out quickly. Reading CDs and SACDs is surprisingly fast.
The DVP-NS900V has a mechanical on/off switch that completely disconnects the unit from the power supply. Even in standby mode, only the part of the switching power supply required to turn the unit on via remote control is used.
Both the AV section and the display can be switched off.