I think its a bit of myth to say that CD players sounded bright.Philips early DAC's (TDA 1541/1543) that we used in many of the early machines were not bright at all and had a lovely analogue sound signature.The brightness came from early digital recording,mastering,filtering techniques where HF responses were often emphasized due to over-compensation, or engineers wanting that zingy analytical sound as an anidote /alternative to the more reserved(and in their eye)s old fashion sound of Lp's and Cassette.
The problem with that argument is that when I played pre-purchase CDs, they sounded better on the Meridian. So my experience is that did a better job with playback. That said, doubtless there were also mastering improvements.
Am i right in thinking that Meridian used Philips transports and DAC's in their models..If so,then no doubt it would have sounded better than the very early Cd players (that initially had below average DAC's fitted to them.)
I don't have a super system, either. But, you don't necessarily need one to hear it. what you want to listen for is the width of the soundstage , depth, clarity of transients, and transient smearing. all of those things will be less at redbook.
All CDs are mastered. And, no, not all newly remastered CDs are good, which one of the main points of this forum. Its always a case-by-case basis.
Last time I visited my local thrift they had an old Magnavox CD player from the 80s that certainly has one of the old Philips DACs in it. The case was somehow damaged so you couldn't press the keys. I almost brought it home anyway, and may go back for it. Just for curiosity.
The CD-Text spec is a 90s invention. The original CD format really should have had text, but it was left out.
I owned a very bright CD player in the 80s. I discovered this in 1990 when I stepped up to a better player. it wasn't usually the CDs, but those from the Arista label were the worst, IMO.
It certainly varies with the Brand and model. My first CD player was a Sony D-5 and it had a very hard bright sound. My second CD player was a Philips/Magnvox and it had no such hardness. I didn't realize what digital chips were inside, but the Magnavox had the TDA chips which became years later sought-after for multiple-chip DACs. You're right. Totally different. I'm a big fan of some Sony products, including a few of their early CD players which strangely do not exhibit any hardness, but overall, Philips is to me the better sounding brand in the good old days.
Depends what sound you are looking for..Most DAC,s from the last 10 years will sound really good..I love the sound of 80's philips DAC's,(Smooth analogue sound) .Or mid-90's Sony 'pulse' DAC's.(Beautifully transparent and great for classical music).
Anyone else get suckered into purchasing a green felt-tip pen to line the edges of a CD? Apparently it was supposed to stop the laser leaking thus making the digital reading more accurate! I couldn't tell any difference but could there be any truth in the pens claims?
I remember seeing that crap in shops. You know I've actually never run into a used disc using it. However I did find this one with a 'stabilizer' ring, Pfft, like this mastering needed any a help...
