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Topic: Are DJ CD players worth a look for general transports? (Read 3725 times) previous topic - next topic
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Are DJ CD players worth a look for general transports?

Hi all:

I am a believer that decent sources, wire and amps that are indistinguishable sonically from big $$$ gear, don't have to cost much (http://www.matrix-hifi.com/contenedor_ppec_eng.htm).

I have been using an old $25 external NEC Multispin 6Xe CDR-602 CD-ROM drive (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue3/cdrom.htm) as my CD player for several years, feeding a Panasonic XR45 amp, to Green Mountain Audio Europa's. However, my old drive is starting to have trouble reading some discs and songs.

I have music cranking for 5-12 hours a day, so it gets a ton of use. (In the past, I have prematurely killed Sony, Panasonic and Cambridge Audio CD players.) I was wondering about getting a DJ player, such as a Pioneer CDJ-100s. I know that I don't need all the features, but I am attracted to the robust design, small footprint (the player sits on my desk, beside my monitor), and ease of loading.

My question is - does the internal 'DJ processing' introduce any lossy compression? Or would I be getting reliable, bit-perfect output from the SPDIF digital output?

Also, are these players audible when they spin the disc? My NEC is totally silent - when I press my ear right up against it, I am unable to hear anything. This is a requirement for me, as it sits alongside my 0 dB, no-moving-parts PC.

Or should I be looking at something else?

Thanks a lot for any guidance.

Are DJ CD players worth a look for general transports?

Reply #1 –
Why don't you use your PC?

Are DJ CD players worth a look for general transports?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: CSMR on
Why don't you use your PC?


I do use my PC.  I use my CD player as well. I have over 1,000 CD's around - so I need a CD player as well as a PC source.

My PC is a VIA mini-ITX based system, with a Scythe case that acts as a heatsink (so no fans), an external power brick and a flash hard drive with the OS and apps. So 0 dB and no moving parts. Media is stored on external hard drives - spun up as needed.

Are DJ CD players worth a look for general transports?

Reply #4 –
Why not play directly from the CD ROM drive?

Are DJ CD players worth a look for general transports?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: CSMR on
Why not play directly from the CD ROM drive?


Mine sounds like an airplane taking off.

Also, I will occasionally play CD's when my computer is powered off. Interesting, it seems like all the other folks who frequent HydrogenAudio have 'moved on' from standalone CD players ??

Are DJ CD players worth a look for general transports?

Reply #6 –
I use portable CD player Panasonic SL-CT820 to occasionally listen to Audio CDs. It is robust enough and has line and optical outs, but I dunno if it will stand rude abuse. I think careful handling is a technical requirement for such a precise electronic device.

Edit. Ah, yes  . There is also Panasonic SL-SX428 portable cd player which works (almost for a year) 24/7 as a background music source for an office PBX, it is playing back Audio CDR with repeat function enabled.
So, how did you manage to kill your players?