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Has CD playback evolved in the last 5 years?

A recent thread asked if an older, inexpensive player should be repaired or replaced; and that has me asking the question - has cd playback technology evolved to the point where it's now prudent to replace older (say 5 years or more) players because of advancements in technology? I have an older Arcam FMJ 23 that sounds really nice, but I'm wondering if new players or DACs will give me better sonics than my Arcam. (I live in an area where I can't audition equipment very easily)
rockyboy
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Don't know about recent improvements but as far as the Arcam CD23's concerned, one of the reasons it's considered one of the better CD players is due to it's DAC; "a variation of the 'Ring' DAC, manufactured by DCS which the company used in it's own $15,000 Elgar machine." Arcam had a falling out with DCS which resulted in them using a different DAC in it's subsequent units. The 23's a rare bird, I'd do listening comparisons before getting rid of it!
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I don't think 5 years is a good number to use. Aside from some small improvements, CD players have not seemed to progress much in sound quality using a 5 year time line. If you move out to 10 years, a much better case can be made.
mrvco
52 posts
 
I'd say the major change has been that there are a seemingly endless number of high-quality external DAC's available to meet just about any budget.
edorr
714 posts
 
I can personally attest that conversion of PCM two 2xDSD as is done in the EMM Labs (and Playback Designs I believe), has taken CD playback to a different level (for me anyway). If this level with attainable 5 years ago, and if so at what pricepoint I do not know. Also don't know how othe expensive DACs stack up against this technology.
edorr
714 posts
 
Audiogon acting funny. I did not post this twice.
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