ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
I just picked up a Beogram CD 6500 as part of a Beosystem ( All I wanted was the Beogram LP player but they were all so pretty and white;)
Anyhow, I finally got the CD player up and running today and I'm really surprised at how "natural" it sounds. I can't be sure it's not just a placebo effect as I have not had the chance to compare directly with my Beosound 4 in the same setup but it does seem a lot more analogue off the cuff. I know there are a lot of factors in processing and it got me wondering if there was anything unique (DA convertors etc.) that is important to know about this type of B&O CD player. As paired with the Beomaster? I know most are not fans of my Beosound4, but I wasn't sure if there was something besides build quality that made previous versions superior.
Really...no thoughts? I half expected a new vs old flame war;)
The audio data is obviously the same and I'm not saying there are Danish fairies farting magic dust down the power link cables but I do recall people (long ago) discussing DA converters of some of the older B&O gear.
Is there a qualitative reason to consider using the beogram over BS4?
If there is actually a true sonic difference that would stand up to a blind test, I'd bet it has more to do with the analog output stages than the DAC. Most DACs, unless they aren't working right, are pretty much transparent despite what differing camps say (1 bit, no 16 bit, oversampling, no oversampling!!!). It is possible to muck it up but I doubt B&O would do that.
When I did some fairly extensive testing of inboard and outboard DACs on CD players back a while ago the thing that made a difference, and which difference vanished after level matching, was output level. A number of outboard DACs seemed to be deliberately set up to be a couple of tenths of a dB hotter on output. Not enough to sound louder, but enough to sound different and often better in a quick A/B test. Small differences in loudness are not perceived as differences in loudness, but rather as differences in quality.
I do remember thinking the old pizza box B&O stuff as sounding pretty darned good back in the day when I lusted after it, but couldn't afford it.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
When they do work they sound quite good to my ears. Mine is recently serviced by Martin and from 1991.
I also got the CDX which highly is thought of being very nice sounding. I use it with BM6000 or 8000 and that is a good way to test sounds in my book.
Is there a difference? Yes but not totally black and white. The 6500 was made with care for sure and that it still sounds good compared to what else is on the market in 2014 along with the CDX is proof of craftmanship back then. Also they are still able to be serviced.
I am to old school to worry about DA converters and the like but I listen with my ears and if I did not like the sound (I am a guitarist and drummer) I would find something else rather soon but B&O seems to do it.
As for going for BS4 rather than 6500 or older B&O it depends on the person and his or her's habits and likes. Is vinyl the thing? Is it cd's? Is it cassette tapes? Or is it to get all media in one place for simple and easy access. That is where technology is right now. Would it sound just as good or better than in 1991? Time will tell how its going play out. As for B&O I would properly not be able to tell a difference in going to a BS4. I am just to into the tried and true old stuff.
Agree with you - my CD5500/7000 outperform my BC2 and I really do have cloth ears. I think they are just made with better components. Many non B&O sites have commented on B&O CD players and are usually very surprised about the quality.
Peter
Thanks guys! Glad to know its not just me. I've been discovering and listening a lot to vinyl recently and as a result my ears are starting to notice some of the hard edges of CDs. Seems to be not as noticeable on the CD 6500 but I couldn't put my finger on it.
Think I'll keep the Beosound 4 on the wall mount for ease of use (wife/kids/guests) and keep the beograms in the cabinet for critical listening.