The evolution of CDP

[DaveF]

My main system is computer based (Mac into a JKDAC32) and the biggest/fastest improvements have been in player software.

As a casual observer, I don't really understand this. What the hell is going on with the software?

Good question Simon and I've wondered about this too.

Is each software upgrade fixing something that was 'broken' in a previous version?

I mean the job of the software is to control the reading of the bits from disc or hard drive, package it and then control the hardware for outputting it over the SPDIF interface. Not so complicated.

Is there 'prepping' of the data like some sort of DSP on the data going on in the software? If so, maybe changes are being made here?

When a software upgrade is released is there a list of bug fixes, errata etc given that have been addressed?

[markof]

My main system is computer based (Mac into a JKDAC32) and the biggest/fastest improvements have been in player software.

As a casual observer, I don't really understand this. What the hell is going on with the software?

Good question Simon and I've wondered about this too.

Is each software upgrade fixing something that was 'broken' in a previous version?

I mean the job of the software is to control the reading of the bits from disc or hard drive, package it and then control the hardware for outputting it over the SPDIF interface. Not so complicated.

Is there 'prepping' of the data like some sort of DSP on the data going on in the software? If so, maybe changes are being made here?

When a software upgrade is released is there a list of bug fixes, errata etc given that have been addressed?

As the man says "it ain't what you do but the way that you do it, that's what gets results" and it's the same with software audio players. Most players started out life to address issues of playing high res audio files and implement "bit-perfect" audio and have evolved rapidly from there.
Re upgrades: some are fixes, some expand functionality and some improve sound quality through better/custom algorithms, libraries etc. A strength of software audio players is in the rapid development cycle, user feedback, ease of distribution and implementation.
This area and more is well covered over at: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/forum/

[Fran]

It's certainly easy to hear changes when you turn on/off functions in jplay. Eg turning the screen off, loading the file into ram and turning off the hdd and shutting down wifi etc.


Fran

[DaveF]

It's certainly easy to hear changes when you turn on/off functions in jplay. Eg turning the screen off, loading the file into ram and turning off the hdd and shutting down wifi etc.


Fran

Less electrical noise in the system perhaps with all of the above turned off? Are the same improvements reported by all users by doing the above?
Or is it more about the interaction between the OS and the audio playback software?

[Fran]

Yes, more or less - with the proviso that there are many different implementations using different dacs, but all using jplay. Typical comments (and my own observations) report increased resolution, stage depth, cleaner tighter bass and smoother treble. All of which it is interesting to note are problems oft quoted with digital....


Fran

[Marcus]

I'm well into my search for a new CD player now, although nothing demoed yet (I'm still in research phase!). It seems there are plenty of players now with valve output stages and even valve gain so the player can act as a preamp if needed. They have warm up protection to apparently prolong the life of the valves.

Now I've not had much experience with valves other than an old Rogers amp I pulled out of my grandparents stereogram (after they stopped using it - honest), which I still have from when I was getting into music and sound as a teenager.

Can someone tell me what the approximate life of a valve would be in a CD application - do they have a by hour expectation based on being left on, is it more luck than judgment and down to care of valves, or is this just a 'how long is a piece of string' question. Bit of a valve newbie in case you hadn't noticed! Sounds as if it could get a bit pricey. Thanks!

Tony - I've asked Father Christmas for a copy of the David Byrne book, I hadn't seen that one advertised, it sounds really interesting. Top Tip, thanks!

[tony]

Re valves which I am fairly new to as well 1000's of hours seems to be the 'norm' but luck,source of purchase and valve type may influence that. Some amps from what I can see have catastophic failures when valves go but this seems rare. A few lads have valve cdp's here so they may offer more accurate advice but guessing the small valves used on cdp's dont cost much and I reckon the load is low so if you go that route there should be no problems.

I noticed the thread has gone to dacs and elsewhere leaving your original cdp question kind of unanswered. Resolution Opus CD21 in Cloneys seems very highly regarded and worth a listen. If I was feeling flush I would try it myself. I have a cyrus cd8se with PSX-R and find it very detailed and all round an excellent cdp. Wadia's seem to be well regarded here also. I think Fran covered off the technical improvements/advice but my tuppence worth would be you may be sacrificing some detail for warmth if you go the valve route.If your amp is valve based is it necessary? Not sure of your budget either but meridians for megabucks seem to be prized also but the jkdac32 option as already outlined will give you best bang for buck.

Re David Byrne, yes it is a decent enjoyable read compared to anything else he has written as it is reality based compared to some of the other 'artistic'stuff he has written that makes my eyes glaze over immediately.

[Marcus]

Yes, there is some very useful information on this thread, which is all much appreciated.

...but my tuppence worth would be you may be sacrificing some detail for warmth if you go the valve route.If your amp is valve based is it necessary?

Hmm, your comments raise another good point for me. My mono blocks are supposed to be 'valve like' although they are in fact SS. They're from Cary and the info I read on them says that they were designed to sound as if they were valve based. I'm not sure how accurate that is and how much is down to advertising intended to keep valve die-hards of the brand - like anything I only purchased them because I was so impressed with the sound. Similarly, a CD player sounding like vinyl - my current Naim CDP is supposed to be 'analogue sounding' but doesn't really sound much like anything I play on vinyl - it's just different.

So you're right that it may not be necessary. I like plenty of detail and probably not too much warmth, but some warmth may help for prolonged listening in case a bright sound can get a bit tiring.

Thanks too for the options to look at, I know the Opus is a well regarded player along with the Wadias, I don't know the Cyrus to listen to, I'll take a look. I'll be checking out the next one up in the Naim chain from mine, also Ayon and Esoteric which seem to have a good following - very different sounds apparently, but I'm keeping an open mind.

[Ivor]

but my tuppence worth would be you may be sacrificing some detail for warmth if you go the valve route.

That would presumably depend on the player. I found a huge increase in detail compared to a Copland or Opus and similar levels to Wadia or Esoteric.

[Fran]

The typical valves used in CDP output stages are ECC81/82 or 83 with a few using other small signal types, 6922 etc. All tend to be rated for 10000hrs, and likely will last twice as long. Its far more likely you will get a bout of audiophilia and swap them out for some gold plated, cryogenically treated, rolled-on-the-thighs-of-a-dusky-maiden types before they ever wear out......