Can I use a DVD player as a cheap cd transport ?

[perth_artist]

Hi,  Im sure this would have been covered before, but is it possible to use a cheapish dvd player as a cd transport ?  Running the sound out into an external dac then to amplifier.

Please let me know your thoughts and whether you have tried this before.  Cheers

[petetherock]

I have used the Toshiba HD DVD player, which has a solid transport, as well as the newer Oppo 101 ci and 203 4k player. These do pretty well as their transport is well made..

[rantan]

8 minutes ago, perth_artist said:

Hi,  Im sure this would have been covered before, but is it possible to use a cheapish dvd player as a cd transport ?  Running the sound out into an external dac then to amplifier.

Please let me know your thoughts and whether you have tried this before.  Cheers

The end result will only ever be as good as the weakest link, in this case the cheap DVD as transport. No matter what DAC you use it will be limited to the capability of the DVD transport which is always a major compromise.

Transports are often overlooked, or seen as of lesser importance than DACs but they are actually incredibly important and should not be a compromise.

Personally, I would buy a really good quality CD player with digital inputs, giving one box convenience and superior performance

[Guest Muon N']

I used a Denon DV-1910 at one point, worked OK, though load times were a bit slow.

 

 

Though the above stated by Rantan is correct, and the quality of the transport mech' and over all quality of implantation in regards to the digital domain will dictate how well it will perform.

[perth_artist]

Thanks guys.  Yeah I was thinking the same thing, but hoping there may be a cheaper way.

[sir sanders zingmore]

You'll be fine. The difference that a better transport makes is vanishingly small compared to other things like speakers or room. 

 

Imho ymmv etc 

[rantan]

15 minutes ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said:

You'll be fine. The difference that a better transport makes is vanishingly small compared to other things like speakers or room. 

 

Imho ymmv etc 

Perhaps but this is not relevant to the actual discussion

 

The OP made no mention of anything other than the transport and there was a specific question about what effect the cheap transport would have.

[sir sanders zingmore]

9 minutes ago, rantan said:

Perhaps but this is not relevant to the actual discussion

 

The OP made no mention of anything other than the transport and there was a specific question about what effect the cheap transport would have.

Ok my thoughts from actually trying, it are that in absolute terms (not comparing to anything else) I had to listen quite hard to hear a difference. 

Was comparing an esoteric p700 with a generic DVD player 

[Guest Muon N']

Best to go generic with everything, as the differences made are vanishingly small compared to other things like speakers or room <end sarcasm>

 

Bottom line is It will work, and whether it is up to scratch really depends on the associated equipment, if the DAC is fairly average then use whatever is on hand, play with a few budget ones if you have access to more than one, try something better if you can borrow something to compare with the others. If the DAC is a higher performing unit differences might be more pronounced but that will depend on the system as a whole and the listener, you.

[sir sanders zingmore]

1 minute ago, Muon N' said:

Best to go generic with everything, as the differences made are vanishingly small compared to other things like speakers or room <end sarcasm>

Apparently we can't make comparisons in this thread ?

[emesbee]

I have used several DVD players, and currently an OPPO 103 Blu-Ray player as transports feeding into the same DAC at different times. So far I haven't been able to detect any audible difference between them.

 

But the short answer to perth_artist is yes, just as long as the DVD player and DAC have compatible inputs/outputs. ie: both support coax, or both support optical. Not all DVD players support both, but most DACs do, in which case it wouldn't be a problem.

 

Edited March 25, 2018 by emesbee

[Guest Muon N']

Some also have better or worse implementations than others, so try all available inputs/outputs and see what connection you prefer in your system.

[Guest Muon N']

4 minutes ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said:

Apparently we can't make comparisons in this thread ?

IF so, I would write a strongly worded complaint to whoever is responsible

[rantan]

Apparently, the original question is not important, since there is no difference anyway, so let's go way OT and discuss room treatments and speakers.

[perth_artist]

Thanks guys, all of your feedback is greatly appreciated.  

[unclemack]

Apparently, the original question is not important, since there is no difference anyway, so let's go way OT and discuss room treatments and speakers.[emoji4]

But... the original question is very important and you didn’t answer it. You advised that the transport was important and that a cheapish DVD transport would be a limitation to performance. Someone posted a contrary POV citing speakers and room acoustics would have more impact. Neither post addressed the original question, so you are both way off topic. The correct answer would have been “yes”.

[LHC]

The answer to the OP question about playing CD is naturally "yes". 

 

However there is a subtle variation if the disc is a SACD and you want to extract the music from the hi-res layer (assuming your DVD player is SACD compatible like a SONY or OPPO). 

[Batty]

I use a Pioneer DV676A-S as a CD transport, not bad at all.

[ChupaChups]

15 hours ago, perth_artist said:

 it possible to use a cheapish dvd player as a cd transport ?  Running the sound out into an external dac then to amplifier.

 

Your DAC cannot tell the difference between an expansive transport and a cheap transport, as long as the the DAC receives the data correctly.

 

 

[a.dent]

17 minutes ago, Sirmorebeer said:

Your DAC cannot tell the difference between an expansive transport and a cheap transport, as long as the the DAC receives the data correctly.

 

 

Well that'll save everyone a lot of money.

[Guest Muon N']

20 minutes ago, Sirmorebeer said:

Your DAC cannot tell the difference between an expansive transport and a cheap transport, as long as the the DAC receives the data correctly.

 

 

A simplistic view of something not so simple.

 

Ah well.

[ChupaChups]

2 minutes ago, a.dent said:

Well that'll save everyone a lot of money.

Well...my DAC cost me and arm and a leg.  My CDP is really what it mean to do - transport data. This coming weeknd I am going to set aside some time to rip them all to flac files and be done with. Now, CDP doing the ripping is a 50 dollar job from OfficeWorks. 

[AccuTidal]

12 minutes ago, Sirmorebeer said:

Well...my DAC cost me and arm and a leg.  My CDP is really what it mean to do - transport data. This coming weeknd I am going to set aside some time to rip them all to flac files and be done with. Now, CDP doing the ripping is a 50 dollar job from OfficeWorks. 

Mind I ask what is your CDP? 

[Guest guru]

The answer to the opening question will always be yes if there is compatibility between send and receive. As to quality, not really an issue as it was not part of the equation. There are significant differences in transport mechanisms and in some systems it is worth the cost and effort, in others, not so. Always good to listen and see if by comparison, there is something more to be had, even at a significant cost.

[JSmith]

24 minutes ago, Muon N' said:

A simplistic view of something not so simple.

 

Agreed... however if the master/slave clock arrangement was changed.

 

JSmith