PS3 as a CD Player...How does it fare?

[JJ]

Having recently discovered my CDs again (everything from my urban youth days to my latest obsession with the disco era and the rock of the 80s) - how does the PS3 fare as a CD player? The equipment used is below, just wondering if it is actually worthwhile to invest in a dedicated CD player (most likely not, I think, but that's what you guys are for) - because I want to get the most out of my CDs now that I'm picking up all this fantastic equipment - I'm drooling over the prospect of hearing them stereo on the 683s...

[Beta Man]

in a word.... "terrible" I am really not impressed with the PS3's cd playback abilities...... (this is all in comparison to other stand-alones, so keep that in mind) but it doesn't require you to spend anymore change, so that's always good Even a lower-end dedicated cd player from a manufacturer who specializes in separates, will give you a big improvement..... I'm guessing you could spend $150-$200 and be VERY happy.... but like I said, the PS3 is already on your shelf.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

in a word.... "terrible" I am really not impressed with the PS3's cd playback abilities...... (this is all in comparison to other stand-alones, so keep that in mind) but it doesn't require you to spend anymore change, so that's always good Even a lower-end dedicated cd player from a manufacturer who specializes in separates, will give you a big improvement..... I'm guessing you could spend $150-$200 and be VERY happy.... but like I said, the PS3 is already on your shelf.

Beta, I shouldn't be surprised to see you respond! I don't suppose you have any recommendations? Ironically enough, $150 would've been tops as far as budget goes - my Audio guys were showing me Rotel today, but that's far out of the my range for a CD player for some time!

Any particular brands??

[Beta Man]

This one is close to your budget

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...quality/1.html

but I'd get this one...

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...quality/1.html


as far as brands, I love Arcam for CD players, but they're budget busters for sure.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

This one is close to your budget

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...quality/1.html

but I'd get this one...

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...quality/1.html


as far as brands, I love Arcam for CD players, but they're budget busters for sure.

Arcam I know about from reading throughout this forum, and I do remember them being out of my reach - I'll set it up to be notified when the 5001 comes into stock, but all in all, I might just end up with the 4001.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Arcam I know about from reading throughout this forum, and I do remember them being out of my reach - I'll set it up to be notified when the 5001 comes into stock, but all in all, I might just end up with the 4001.

I've never heard the 4001, but the fact that it's a 5-disk is my big put-off.... although I know many like them I actually have sony's 400 disc SACD player solely for the convenience factor, and love it.... there are many better SACD players out there though, that's for sure.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I've never heard the 4001, but the fact that it's a 5-disk is my big put-off.... although I know many like them I actually have sony's 400 disc SACD player solely for the convenience factor, and love it.... there are many better SACD players out there though, that's for sure.

As far as SA-CD is concerned, I'm staying away from that for a bit - I'll rent the occasional concert BR, but nothing as far as BR-audio yet. I was thinking the same thing, I'm staying away from the multiple-disc changers anyway - in any case, we'll see - first things first!

[jswilli1]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

As far as SA-CD is concerned, I'm staying away from that for a bit - I'll rent the occasional concert BR, but nothing as far as BR-audio yet. I was thinking the same thing, I'm staying away from the multiple-disc changers anyway - in any case, we'll see - first things first!

SACD (most) are about the same price as a CD. I noticed you have a 40gb machine, I don't believe the 40gb plays SACD and I am unsure of the 80gb model supporting SACD? My 60gb does play SACD and I enjoy listening to them. As far as CD's, Don't me but I just import them to 320khz MP3 files and use them on my mp3 player. Beats the 128 or 198khz iTunes files you pay .99 for.

[Clark Kent]

I would agree with Beta Man that the PS3 is just not a good cd player or even transport. It's obvious to me that cd playback was not a top priority when designing the PS3. If I were you I would look into a decent DAC instead.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Beta, I shouldn't be surprised to see you respond! I don't suppose you have any recommendations? Ironically enough, $150 would've been tops as far as budget goes - my Audio guys were showing me Rotel today, but that's far out of the my range for a CD player for some time!

Any particular brands??

I bet the Rotel they "showed" you was say like $700 bucks I presume. I have my eye on that myself. Stike date April 2009. I use my Rotel, DVD player which is not quite as expensive as their cd player but is well above the 200 dollar range. Since I have the 683s and have both the PS3 and the Rotel DVD player. There is a HUGE upgrade that you can hear RIGHT away. There is no comparison at all !!! Yes, I use the DVD player to play me cd's. The clarity is amazing

[Dagger]

PS3 sounds over digitized at 192 khz. Highs are too sharp. Some people say it sounds better bringing it down to 44.1 khz, but I think it still sounds bad.

If you decide to go with a dedicated CDP, I'm looking to sell a Music Hall CDP 25.2 very soon. If after doing some research you are interested, PM me. It's in mint condition and I'll sell at a reasonable price.

[ixlegitballinxl]

i'm not a fan of 2 channel, which is the default setting for cd playback.....big pain for me to switch settings on 2.1,5.1,etc. I use my 30 gig mp3 player for music due to the hassle

[Dagger]

One other thing, look up PS1 (ONE) as a CD Player. You'll find several articles/blogs/forums on it. Note there is a certain model (1001 I think) that has a solid DAC.

I've heard it myself, has a tubey sound to it... not as great as people have propped it up to be be but for $30 bucks with some quality analogs, it could tide you over until your budget allows.

[ArieS]

Originally Posted by jswilli1

I don't believe the 40gb plays SACD and I am unsure of the 80gb model supporting SACD?

My PS3 MGS4 bundle plays SACD.

[crackinhedz]

have any old dvd players laying around?

Im sure it might play cd's fairly well. Give that a try.

[doctorsteve]

As far as ease of use, and multi disc capability, I can understand if you don't like the PS3 for CD's. But could the naysayers please explain if they feel there is some technological difference with the PS3?

I always hear specific reasons to use certain receivers, avoid certain TV's, and tech specs on speaker selections... but is there a specific technological flaw that makes PS3 'bad' for CD play back??? Please specify your negative responses if you could please.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by Dagger

One other thing, look up PS1 (ONE) as a CD Player. You'll find several articles/blogs/forums on it. Note there is a certain model (1001 I think) that has a solid DAC.

I've heard it myself, has a tubey sound to it... not as great as people have propped it up to be be but for $30 bucks with some quality analogs, it could tide you over until your budget allows.

I saw that. I'm thinking of getting one (I don't have that model) for CD playback now.

[JJ]

It's something about the prospect of listening to Whitesnake, the Bee Gees, Nas or the Goo Goo Dolls in all their glory - I think my sister has an old PS1 lying about, I'll go check it out...

Thanks for all the suggestions, chaps...the Marantz 5001 will have to wait until Christmas, it seems...

[bhampton]

I love using my PS3 for CD playback.

It sounds great to me.

I have another player (Sony NC0650v) but PS3 sounds better for CD's to me.

EDIT- I have it hooked up via HDMI just for reference.

-Brian

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

It's something about the prospect of listening to Whitesnake, the Bee Gees, Nas or the Goo Goo Dolls in all their glory - I think my sister has an old PS1 lying about, I'll go check it out...

Thanks for all the suggestions, chaps...the Marantz 5001 will have to wait until Christmas, it seems...

Just remember that it's a certain model, the first PS1 model by Sony. The story is that Sony over-engineered the first generation and as such put in a top quality DAC. You can find the PS1 on ebay for $30 - $50.

Here's one thing to note. The PS1 is non-oversampling (NOS) so the sound is very different to what most people are used to today where almost all CDPs upsample.