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
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
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.
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.
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 ?
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 ?
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
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
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
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...
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
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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 😀 )
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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
Have you tried running the heaphones directly from the CDP-990.
I still have one of these players and can sound very good but depends on the partnering equipment. They were a lot better than the Yamaha, Rotel, Technics etc of the day.
Changing output op-amps and caps can make a worthwhile difference.
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Presumably there is some technical reason why all Sony CD players sound so bad..? They presumably use similar circuitry to other manufacturers, but for some reason known only to themselves build in some extra hard-edged 'glassiness'. Fiendishly they always make sure it is clearly audible, but never shows up in the measurements.
neither do i. i had a sony k7 deck it was really good , but the cd players 🙁 , i cant understand why , they make good transport and good lasers , maybe the rest are cheap components.
i believe they have good cd players but only the best of their high end
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Hello
Sony was doing very good tv using their trinitron image tube, now I don't know if they are still good.
Bye
Gaetan
Sony was doing very good tv using their trinitron image tube, now I don't know if they are still good.
Bye
Gaetan
Actually they have their own circuits. In the "begining" where just 2 manufacturers of CD cipsets - Philips and Sony. Maye is a reason why most of the companies choose Philips circuits?
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