Thanks Dan!

Thank you, you’re very kind

Thank you, you’re very kind. The big plus with CD is that you control the transfer of the data from the stored medium to the DAC, whereas one can never be sure with streaming.

Thank you Thomas, you’re very kind

You’re very welcome. Thanks

Thanks Martin!

Thanks!

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it!

You’re very welcome! Thanks

So pleased!

Thanks, so glad you appreciated it

Thanks Thomas, you’re very welcome

Thanks Don!

Thank you, that’s very kind.

I feel the very same way! :-) Much preferable to watching a movie, in fact.

Thanks 🙏

You’re very welcome. Hopefully, you’ll never have to part with Myryad. Enjoy the music.

You’re welcome

You’re very welcome

Thanks Ricky! 🙏

Thanks!

Thanks 😀👍

Thank you. You’re very kind. So pleased to hear you have settled on your ‘final’ set up 😉

Thank you, you're very kind. Glad you enjoyed it.

I'd recommend looking for someone who has actual knowledge about the topic instead...

Thank you, you’re very kind!

Hi Jim. I am with you on this, however, I do find streaming useful for experimenting with new artists and comparing classical music recordings of a given piece. Sometimes I discover things that I would not have, had I simply gone to an online record store.

I am also still invested in vinyl and CD. I have spotify because my wife and 3 sons use it probably 8-12 hours a day. It would be diffacult to own as much music as one has access to digital online.

Thanks

Thank you Heather.

So pleased you enjoy the channel. Best wishes to you.

So glad you appreciate my videos. Thanks

So glad you enjoyed it Jonathan

Thanks. So glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for adding your comment to the topic.

Thank you very much for your kind words and for your interesting contribution to the discussion. Glad you enjoyed the series.

Thanks for your contribution to the topic

Thank you for your kind words. Can only agree, these days, one can get a great sound for a rather minimal investment

I certainly will! You can always reach out to me in 2025!

Thank you for your kind words. Your Onkyo CD player sounds great value for money.

😀👍

@@PearlAcoustics thank you for an engrossing series! Looking forward to your next trilogy!

😀

I never think of a CD player anymore.

@@lauralutzhoven5648 Of course. Yet you’re here. 👍

It’s out. It went live at 20:00 gmt+1 😀👍

@@PearlAcoustics 🤗👍

Thank you very much!

You’re very welcome. Thanks for your contribution to the topic

I have about 150 LPs which I listen to on my Pro-ject Debut Carbon ,as well as CDs and FLAC downloads .

You’re very welcome Charles! Thanks for your comment

Thanks for your compliments and also for your interesting back story.

Absolutely… but I find that even at the lowest setting. It’s still quite bright.

Ps. Great video from Pearl Acoustics, absolutely love your laid back approach! It will be great if you can do a Standalone DAC or DAC-Streamers video. Comparing the current cream of the crop or various budgets. I have been swayed towards China-Fi, they have some truly amazing stuff, such as Topping, SMSL, Eversolo etc (I recently upgraded from Topping E50 to Eversolo Z8). Also bring into the mix, the British contenders or European, such as Chord, Gustard, RME, Project, Cambridge, NAIM and et'al. It'll be really interesting to hear your views and what you make of it. Anyway my 2 cents!

Thanks for your kind words Jason, and for your contribution to the discussion. I will give DAC evaluation / streamer evaluation a thought; it’s a difficult topic with many people in Videoland giving it a try! Enjoy the music

Hi, thanks for your interesting comment and question. The word ‘significantly’ is a very powerful one. I personally could only use the word ‘slightly’. Whether my slightly is significant to someone else then, that’s great for them. My sound engineer heard a difference big enough to justify the additional cost for him. At the end of the day I guess that’s what it’s all about?

@@PearlAcoustics "My sound engineer heard a difference big enough to justify the additional cost for him." Perhaps your sound engineer is getting too generous a salary from you?! P.S. Are you hiring? 🙂

@@jlaurson he’s self employed and in demand! 😀

Thanks for your very kind appreciation. It would indeed be very interesting to hear a Linn and equivalent US top of the range.

No,please! This video is not informative,but confusing! I wish people could get education and learn about analog and digital principles!

Thanks for your contribution to the discussion

A lot of us have had terrible experinces in the 1990's with multi-disc players over time much more so than with single player machines.

Thanks very kind. I too find it annoying that I2S is not standardised. In fact I am totally aligned on your comments (apart from my turntable choice, but it needs to be heard and seen to be fully appreciated) 😉

Absolutely

Hi Jordan, thanks for your kind comment. If it is only sound quality you are looking for, then there is no need to spend a fortune. If it’s ease of use and or a piece of ‘nice’ looking equipment, then no. 😉

Thanks Thomas, you’re very kind. And thanks too for sharing your story.

Hi Klaus-Peter, thanks for your comment. If I get a chance, I will certainly try the Audiolab. The Project display in my video was on its darkest setting 😉. But as I said it is not really a deal breaker

these things are the important elements in the discussion

Sounds very intriguing!

👍😉

Hi Thomas, thank you so much for your kind comment. Your support is very much appreciated. With regards making a video as you suggest, we have a big challenge here. However we do it, all you will hear is the sound of our loudspeakers through your loudspeakers and thus you will not hear what they really sound like. If you reach out to us via our website, my colleagues will try and find somewhere you can hear them live. I hope this answer does not disappoint you? Best wishes H

@@PearlAcoustics Harley, thanks for your reply. And I do understand the dilemma. I was just thinking about your great videos of the Pass Labs or SMSL VMV A1…maybe you could continue those kind of videos. And thanks for your information to get in contact with pearl acoustics. Best wishes, Thomas

@@thomasfi1275 you’re welcome. More video like that coming. With videos on great recordings in-between

You’re welcome

Yamaha CD-S2100?

@@krihanek117 My bad. Thanks!

Thanks for your kind appreciation. And thanks for your contribution to the discussion

@@PearlAcoustics You’re welcome, Harley. Been following you for quite a while now. All the while saving up for a pair of the Sibelius.

@@musiclassica 😀👍 so glad you enjoy my videos. Best wishes, H

😀

Indeed!

Rega is failing at cd players sorry to say. The apollo debacle the lack of support for the Planet 2000 forget Rega.

Good point, thanks!

You’re welcome

Thanks for your comment and contribution to the topic

Good question. Yes I do use the I2S. I believe I hear a difference / improvement but it is only a subtle one. I have not done any scientific comparisons. Personally I like it.

Hi, thanks for your kind appreciation. As far as SACD's are concerned, I am afraid I gave them a wide birth. I know many people rave about them but not every player can play them, the catalogue of SACD's is rather limited and I could not detect a major improvement, alongside a really good CD in a good CD player. But that is only my opinion.

@@PearlAcoustics Thank you very much for your kind response.

Thanks your kind appreciation. Indeed, I believe you’re right

Thanks for your kind appreciation. It would be fantastic to hear how you get on when comparing… enjoy

Thanks for your comment Mark

Yes I had a Meridian 208 combo and later the M F NuVista player which sounded a bit better on certain discs but like you was poor compared to my LP set up

Indeed

Thanks Ramar! I didn’t have the remote problem. I know that can be annoying. Have you tried using another remote, or changing the batteries 😉. It’s always a question as if it is the infrared receiver or the remote itself.

@@PearlAcoustics yep new batteries..no improvement..btw..the internal DAC has selectable filters..I'm curious if these settings affect the sound of the Saturn when used as an ordinary cdp? I can only adjust the filters in DAC mode via the remote..or does the rega default to a specific setting as a standalone cdp?

Indeed, thanks

That’s great!

I have a Cyrus cd transport and a 8a amplifier plus psxr2 power supply. I never use them, they are in a cupboard gathering dust. Time for eBay.

Thanks, your very kind. Indeed, commercially made CD’s tend to last indefinitely

@@PearlAcoustics Well, there were two problems, early on in the world of CDs, that limited longevity. One was bronzing, which appeared esp. in old Hyperion discs - which makes sense, because (as I've just learned, reading up on it) it seems to have been caused by a faulty lacquer in a British manufacturing plant. The other was the early, well-meaning idea of keeping CDs from falling out of their spider-hold in multi-CD sets by inserting a layer of foam in between them. Seeing your CD collection for a brief second makes me assume you've had your share of those (perhaps in the Philips Mozart Edition from back when) - and if you don't catch that soon enough, the deteriorated foam will have attached itself to the top of the disc with astonishing permanence that no amount of water, detergent, and rubbing will get off. Other than that, CDs seem to last far longer than initially predicted and well possibly for generations to come. Meanwhile, good luck trying to play any other, OS-reliant digital data-format from 20 years ago.

@@jlaurson absolutely! Thanks for your very interesting contribution to the topic

Interesting, isn’t it.

Thanks Michael. What a shame you had problems with your cd transport. So far, mine has behaved perfectly

Thanks Steve! Indeed some things remain a mystery! Glad you enjoyed it

I have a Naim CD5X and built my own HI CAP using the Naim circuit and it DOES make a big difference.

You know, call me what you will, but I think if you have to add half a thousand bucks of external PSU to a device, it wasn't designed right. The single most important thing is the last stage of the PSU -- the bit that takes whatever bulk rail and converts it to the DC voltage that an IC or motor requires. That last stage should be point-of-load -- as close as possible to the thing it's powering. For modern digital stuff, it might be 3.3v, or 1.8v, or less. For analog audio parts, it could be 3.3v, 5v, +/-9v, +/-12v, etc. It's usually rather low-current, low voltage. Motors and stuff like that aren't going to be fussy. They don't care if you're using dual isolated toroidal transformers with boutique capacitors, or dirt-cheap switching supplies that barely pass safety inspection. As long as it supplies approximately the right voltage at enough amps, it's _fine._ Digital bits don't care much, either. By definition, they're switching devices, and will create noise of their own every time they change state -- thousands to millions or even billions of times a second. Heroics on the supply here is like filling your toilet tank with purified water. The analog parts are critical, and need to be the cleanest, but at line levels, don't need much power. It needs to be stable, with as little noise and ripple as possible, and the tightest, shortest current loops possible to avoid picking up radiated noise from motors and digital stuff. The key point here is isolation -- filtering low-frequency ripple, and high-frequency noise, which are handled fairly adequately with, respectively, negative feedback and deliberate impedance between supply rails and the regulator (while making sure the average current needs are met). How any of this is to be better served by placing the source of power in a separate box, further away, and connected via a superfluous cable, is beyond me. In fact, to overcome the technical deficit of doing that, you would need to improve the point-of-load regulation and filtering, the act of doing so making it all the less important what's upstream. I know this verges on conspiracy talk, but it makes me wonder if the designs aren't intentionally shackled so that a difference _can_ be detected when the "optional" component is added. Especially if you have to plug it in to mains power anyway, like in the case of the Cyrus. Like..... whut? At least with an external PSU you're removing high-voltage mains from the inside of the box, and any potential inducted noise leakage. If you can't even claim that, seriously, _what is the point?_ Nonsense. All of it. It makes me skeptical that the thousands spent on the transport are even going to useful places, like over-engineered lasers that will last a lifetime under heavy use. Or does it just go to fancy boxes with pretentiously inadequate displays, and machined weights to stick on top of the disc (because a simple magnetic hub in the lid is too low-brow)? Sorry to rain on anyone's parade. By all means, like what you like. I just strongly prefer practical engineering over showmanship, and I have my doubts that the money spent on these is being put to good use.

Good topic! Indeed, I find it interesting because they have the potential to add lots of noise, colour the sound, kill or create the soundstage, cost just a few euros or tens of thousands! 🙏

@@PearlAcoustics I've just ordered the Schitt Mani 2, yet to receive it. Apparently one of the best of the higher budget units out there. Looking forward to finding out myself what the fuss is all about. Would be very interesting to hear your opinions and comparisons. The way you present and explain is very engrossing yet relaxing. Indeed, there are a plethora of different Phono Preamplifiers out there at different budget levels.. Us hobbyists enjoy the privilege of dealing with the confusion 🥴

@@playbackvintagehifihunter9669 thanks for your kind appreciation! I do my best!

Hi Ian, I would check with Project directly. Send them an email with the serial number. Is it the same model as mine?

Dear Robert, thank you for your excellent contribution to the discussion!

Thanks for your comment and contribution to the discussion. And for the tip!

Loved the serious. Im looking a cd player for my Ls 50 kef. Not sure what to go for. I thought of the rega appollo cd player.

@@PeppaPig123-l7r The Rega should be fine. Enjoy.

Have you measured this information. Remember it's either a 1 or a 0. Where would the harshness and glare come from. It's a transport !

Very good!

Thanks Peter, I didn’t mention about the potential problems you mention with the Cyrus because I am not aware of them. But I can appreciate your concern in this matter. For me, I like the simplest option, the fewest possible parts.

​​@@PearlAcoustics yes I like the simplicity of the Project (if thats what you are referring to) and it seems like it would be a more tactile, satisfying experience (if that makes sense) (The Rega doesn't seem bad in that respect either)

Hi Manfred, thanks for your kind appreciation. No, I do not know the Metronome Le Player. I will look it up. Thanks for the tip.

That was a bargain!

Thanks for your comment. Of course there are always risks in leaving equipment on day and night.

👍

😀

Hi, to be honest, I have no preference, it purely depends on the design. Tubes can sound great but they can also be very disappointing. And you can always hook a cd player up to a tube preamplifier. I had an Ayon tube CD player / preamplifier. It was very impressive but also very, very expensive! I am sorry I cannot be of much more help.

Unfortunately not on mine. Maybe on the new ones…

Why not buy a good blue ray instead? They have a more advanced laser and perform better than most cd players!

@@GeirRssaak Ha! 3 months later. I bought a Rotel RCD 975 and couldn’t be happier. Thank you.

Hi Michael, I know sometimes they have a waiting list… I think they make them in batches..

@@PearlAcoustics Thank you. Incidentally, I truly enjoy your videos and waited patiently for the third part of this series. You are thorough and thoughtful but never a bore.

@@MichaelShawPhoto thank you. You’re very kind!

Thanks Vincente. Although cheaper players sound very good, I am really into owning things that are beautifully made and built to last. This is very personal and also linked to the availability of funds! The thing is music can be enjoyed on very price efficient systems

@@PearlAcoustics sure. And if it's for the listening room, it should be nice. Is it possible to visit the listening room?

A very interesting angle… thanks very much for your comment

You’re very welcome

Thanks interesting…

In todays world, a quality CD players must cost around $5000 or higher.

@@bubblehead5394 I don't completely disagree with you, but that's not been my experience! Having said that I've had my two Denons heavily modified. One of the players is within the price range that you mention, has had exactly the same mods done as my cheaper player at half the price, and that player in no way sounds inferior to the dearer model. Its all about good general design in the first place and a cd player having good power supplys, circuit designs etc.

@@jcarter3562 It's a CD player not an Electrostatically Supported Gyro Navigator (ESGN) on a nuclear submarine, lmao. I too have owed a handful of high-end CD players and highly revealing systems. In the end, its mostly hogwash.

​no, you must know that bluerays from good producers perform better than most cd players

Hi Martin, I know exactly where you are coming from. The only part that cannot be fixed is the lazer. But there are always secondhand units around from which you can scramble parts. The Project transport is 2500EUR… you can buy three for that price 😉

Thanks for getting back, Harley. The CD67 is indeed wonderful. But what can you buy three of for €2500? Surely the CD67 is not worth €800? I also have the original matching preamp, control unit, power amp, all serviced by Quad. And the original CD67 controller and all manuals and boxes!

@@martinpaling1989 on EBay you can find secondhand quad cd 66’s and 67’s ususlly for around 600-700 euro, it’s the laser you need, most other parts are replaceable. Evrn the little cig wheel that drives the drawer mechanism can be purchased in line. There’s a guy who 3D prints them. I have the complete kit too but have a fully restored and modernised 405 as my power amplifier. The kit is in my office.

👍

Thanks! You have a fine collection there 😉

Thanks for you appreciation. Sadly sacd not really due to the limited catalogue. But I get the attraction

@@PearlAcoustics Indeed. My ears can hardly tell the difference.