Re: Declining sales for CD-only players

<a href="http://www.msnbc.com/news/842302.asp?0cv=CB20" target="_blank">www.msnbc.com/news/842302.asp?0cv=CB20</a><p>< December 04, 2002: Message edited by: meestercleef ></p>

[apcarandang]

Interesting article. They forgot to mention that most new DVD players also play mp3 files which also adds to their popularity as compared to stand alone CD players.<p><br />S & V Moderator wink.gif border=0

[akula]

Can''t say that surprises me. You can get a 5 disc Panasonic DVD changer for about $150. 5 disc CD changers will save only about $20 or so. If building a system from scratch, I know which one I would choose.

[Yesfan70]

Me too. The DVD changer.

[hifichip76]

Yes I agree,too- BUT- unless you get a dvd player with very good DAC''s in it, there''s no substitute for a good dedicated cd player when it comes to sound quality. Whether I run it analog or digital (and send the bitstream to be converted by my receiver), my Denon plays cd''s better than either of my dvd players.

Why spend the money on a CD player when for a little more you can get a DVD CD SACD DVD-RW MP3<br />CD-RW player with progressive scan.<br />The answer is very clear to me!

[bcs]

because for 2-channel stereo critical listening, a good cd transport can be very important. you won''t get the same sound from a combo unit that you would get from a good dedicated, single-tray cd transport.

[MWP]

Makes sense to me. You can''t argue with a product''s life cycle, yet even with two Sony DVD SACD players, I still use a dedicated McIntosh CD player. And I still enjoy a cassette deck & reel-to-reel as well. Recently sold my turntable to a friend... Wish I had more room. wink.gif border=0<p>< December 09, 2002: Message edited by: Ms. William Pecker ></p>

[Blindamood]

But Ms. Pecker, you forgot to mention 8-track... wink.gif border=0

[MWP]

Brad: Funny you should mention that. -LOL- Think I did own one in the early-mid 1970s. Yet you may want to take a second look at the cassette deck market. I will NEVER sell my Nak Dragon!<p>Made between 1982-1993 and originally retailing for $2,500, these used tape transport units still command $750-$1,350 depending on condition. If you''re interested in "warming up" your favorite CD, give one a try. <b>There''s nothing like enjoying analog sound in this all too digital world.</b> <p><a href="http://naks.com/" target="_blank">Unofficial Website</a><p><i>The erase, record, and playback heads are all individual components. The result is better recording and playback as each head is dedicated to its specific job as compare to a 2 head which uses a common record/playback head whose function is determined by a switch or relay.<p>The Dragon features self-correcting azimuth in both directions. Azimuth is the perpendicular alignment of the head in reference to the tape. Incorrect azimuth will result in loss of high frequency response and potentially uneven record/playback levels.</i><p>http://www.retroaudio.ru/nakamichi/deck/Images/DRAGON.jpg

[wallstreet]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by bcs:<br /><strong>because for 2-channel stereo critical listening, a good cd transport can be very important. you won''t get the same sound from a combo unit that you would get from a good dedicated, single-tray cd transport.</strong><hr></blockquote><p>If you''re using a digital connection from the cd player to the receiver what difference does the cd transport make? The bitstream is all digital. Are you saying that a bad cd transport can alter the 1''s and 0''s in a bit stream?

[hifichip76]

Sure it can. The transport is a vital part of the process of playing a cd, just like the DAC, the power supply and the cable.

[Haywood]

Some DVD players do have excellent D/A converters. The analog output from my Integra DPS-7.2 is outstanding. In fact, it is the best sounding CD player I have ever owned. I almost always listen to CDs via the analog output of my DVD player with the video circuit disabled and tend to favor the direct analog option on my receiver for most music.

[Kazaam]

Maybe if they add CD Text display info to all players and lowered the price to 3.5 percent above cost they''d convince consumers to replace their existing dedicated CD units?<p>Or possibly cashing in on the whole translucent-plastic/I-MAC coloured thing? Or is that trend over?<p>Personally, I think they need to find new markets for compact disc players. Let''s see, who could manufacturers target? Well...<p>Monkeys are pretty smart people. I bet they''d be able to figure out how to use CD players; and I think they''d really like to listen to monkey-type things or whatever on CD players.<p>And if the monkeys start buying them, you just know the Orangatangs (sp?) are going to copy them. Pretty soon, I wouldn''t be surprised if Big Foot himself made the trek down from the mountains of Washington State and into the nearest Best Buy for a CD player.<p>And then there are Penquins and Polar Bears....

[MWP]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Kazaam:<br /><strong> Personally, I think they need to find new markets for compact disc players. Let''s see, who could manufacturers target? Well...<p>Monkeys are pretty smart people. I bet they''d be able to figure out how to use CD players; and I think they''d really like to listen to monkey-type things or whatever on CD players.<p>And if the monkeys start buying them, you just know the Orangutans are going to copy them. Pretty soon, I wouldn''t be surprised if Big Foot himself made the trek down from the mountains of Washington State and into the nearest Best Buy for a CD player.<p>And then there are Penquins and Polar Bears...</strong><hr></blockquote><p>http://users.capu.net/~kwelch/pp/pics/kings-colony1.jpg<p><i>Christmas shoppers photographed at 7 am. just north of the border this morning waiting for their local Utimate Electronics store to open its doors...</i> wink.gif border=0<p>< December 16, 2002: Message edited by: Ms. William Pecker ></p>

[Kazaam]

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