Why does my 'highend' Sony CD player sound so poor?

[darkpeak]

Hello there -

I've just bought an old Sony CDP-990. I think when it was made in 1991 it was described as 'high-end' and got good reviews. I'm running it through a Technics SU-8080 into Sony MDR-V6 headphones, but the sound is not very good. I'm no audiophile, but I would describe it as hard and glassy with high treble.

Is this how it's supposed to be? Were early CD-players just not very good? Or has it deteriorated with age? Should I just build a new DAC?

I'd grateful for any thoughts.

All best, Richard

[ampmade]

Hello,

I don't know if it's possible for you to make some measurements on the player.
You need a scope (two channels) and a signal generator to test the output stage (for the beginning).
I don't know your "electronic level" but it's very hard to give a good answer if i don't have concrete things to give you a good answer.
Maybe it's the natural sound of this old player or maybe some components tends to be too old!

Sorry for the incomplete answer!

Fabrice.

[Mooly]

Hard to say really. So much depends on what your ultimately used to and comparing against.

I would suggest you use a dedicated headphone amp for evaluating players... the Technics (could) be adding to the impression you are getting.

Have you other players you are comparing it against ?

[gaetan8888]

Hello

I've ad a Sony cd player from 90's, it have a very flat and narrow soundstage and lifeless sound, I think there was to much jitter. Anyway I've just give it few years ago.

Bye

Gaetan

[lduarte1973]

i had a sony like that with the same problem , even the arcam alpha 7se i owned next sounded better and it´s a lousy player , i think your better buying something like a cambridge audio cd player , i dont think a dac will solve your problem. i threw the sony in the garbage

[SoNic_real_one]

From 1991... that means 20 years ago. I bet all the electrolitycs are dry-bone, maybe at the 1/4 of original capacity.
In this case power supply brum rejection is worse, low-end audio is poor...

[gaetan8888]

Originally Posted by SoNic_real_one

From 1991... that means 20 years ago. I bet all the electrolitycs are dry-bone, maybe at the 1/4 of original capacity.
In this case power supply brum rejection is worse, low-end audio is poor...

Hello

Even with new electrolitycs caps and after doing a better supply decouplings my Sony cd player from 90's did still sounded bad.

My plain mid-end Denon cd player was sounding light-years better.

Bye

Gaétan

[lduarte1973]

i had the same player the op is talking about, too much treble , poor bass.i dont know op budget but i would take a look at cambridge audio cd players or audiolab new 8200CD or 8200CDQ (with digital preamp )

[SoNic_real_one]

Originally Posted by gaetan8888

Hello
My plain mid-end Denon cd player was sounding light-years better.

Probably you are right - I personally don't trust Sony too much in audio.
I have two Denons myself... and a digital receiver. Replaced the OpAmps and sound better than many things out there.

[gaetan8888]

Originally Posted by SoNic_real_one

Probably you are right - I personally don't trust Sony too much in audio.
I have two Denons myself... and a digital receiver. Replaced the OpAmps and sound better than many things out there.

Hello

Maby I was unlucky, but quite all music cd's made by Sony (popular and classical) that I've buy did sound dull and lifeless.

I agree that Denon made quite good cd players.

But now I have a Adcom GCD-600 cd player and after some mods it sound very excellent.

Bye

Gaetan