of B&O's CD players, purely in terms of audio quality (forget the other features).

In recent times there has been talk of a high end source to match the abilities of the Lab5's but until it materialises (if ever), which has been the best to date?? (Comments from those who have heard models side by side would be most useful, quoting a model because its the one you have may not be quite as objective)

I did think of a poll but I could bring myself to do it!

Beogram CD5500.

6500 and 7000 very similar but not as good a transport.

Peter:

Beogram CD5500.

6500 and 7000 very similar but not as good a transport.

Is there a reason why these are the best in your optinion, or is this just your taste?

What about the current range?

Very expensive and well specified D/A converters and they have a digital output. The 5500 has a brushless motor which is very quiet and expensive! One could go all audiophile and say having their own power supply is an advantage as well!

Of the current range  - tricky! The BS9000 has a relatively unreliable CD unit which cannot be helped by the sudden accelerations but does have a digital out. The BC2 is a DVD player if that matters but does have a digital out. The BS4 and BS3200 don't have digital outs and are the lower end of the range.

Peter:

...Of the current range  - tricky! The BS9000 has a relatively unreliable CD unit which cannot be helped by the sudden accelerations but does have a digital out. The BC2 is a DVD player if that matters but does have a digital out. The BS4 and BS3200 don't have digital outs and are the lower end of the range.

so I guess I am right when saying that B&O should think about a new high end music system. It's been a while since BS9000...

I agree with Peter here. Have been looking for a "mint" Beogram CD 5500. I have a 6500 and a 7000, and am very happy with them, but would love to have a 5500 transport in excellent condition.

BS9000 is interesting because it makes it possible to listen to different performances of the same music. (The architect Liebeskind uses it in this manner - he's a Bach connoisseur, and listens to interpretations moving from CD to CD).

The newer players are less impressive. Important that a brand such as B&O tries to avoid cutting corners ...

 

Peter, have you heard them side by side?

Have had at one time a CDX, CD4500, CD50, 9500 and a CD7000 in one room. I have a BC2 now. Have heard all the others at other times. I find it very difficult to differentiate them! I know this sounds ridiculous, but I like the sound of the CDX! Probably down to distortion! Wouldn't be surprised if it was similar to the reason valve amplifiers sound attractive and related to different harmonic distortions! The CD7000 was my main player for many years. I am no longer the person to judge as my ears are deteriorating!

Were there not rumors of an ultra high end Beosound 5 to go with the Lab 5s engineered with no compromises?

Peter:

Have had at one time a CDX, CD4500, CD50, 9500 and a CD7000 in one room. I have a BC2 now. Have heard all the others at other times. I find it very difficult to differentiate them! I know this sounds ridiculous, but I like the sound of the CDX! Probably down to distortion! Wouldn't be surprised if it was similar to the reason valve amplifiers sound attractive and related to different harmonic distortions! The CD7000 was my main player for many years. I am no longer the person to judge as my ears are deteriorating!

I have a CDX and a CD50 and I have to say that I like the CDX as well. It doesn't sound particularly 'digital', if you know what I mean? There's a lot to be said for the CD50 too. Strange internal architecture but that too has a pleasantly 'warm' sound.

I think the resale values of both the CDX and CD50 speak for themselves, in particular the CDX. Lots of people seem to really want a rebadged 80s Phillips CD player, and it can't be just because it's got a B&O badge on it!

This thread made me think... so... if i have a bs4 connected via ML to a BV7 the CD qualitty would be compared to have an Optical Out from the BS4 ?

The loudspeakers are connected to the tv of course.

TIA.
 

I think the best players are made around 1990. I've got a bc9500 myself and the cd unit is much better then the units of today (exept bc2). I hope B&O will design a new high end cd player soon....

Beobird:

I think the best players are made around 1990. I've got a bc9500 myself and the cd unit is much better then the units of today (exept bc2). I hope B&O will design a new high end cd player soon....

I see.

But tell me, do you find the unit more stable in what ground; in an audiophile way, in terms of contruction (i.e. mechanism), perhaps the "all package" itself ?

And another thing, nowadays, what would be the more suitable, speaking of quality of sound and the transport of it to the loudspeakers (of course), perhaps BS9000 or BC2 ? Based on what ? Can anyone give the reasons ?

TIA.
 

pedrompinto:

I see.

But tell me, do you find the unit more stable in what ground; in an audiophile way, in terms of contruction (i.e. mechanism), perhaps the "all package" itself ?

 The totall construction of cd players was better around the 80/90's, because B&O was a becomming a bit audiophile at that time (for example the Penta's). Nowadays B&O cd/dvd players are in my opinion more design and less technical and that's because the units are becomming smaller and smaller (look at the built in dvd players in tv's). I think a good mechanism will need some room and it can't be fit in a tv. The new speakers are just the oposit of that, because the lab 5 and 9 are just some technical wonders . That's why I hope B&O will offer some new more audiophile extern cd/dvd players soon.

 Rogér
 

Beobird:

pedrompinto:

I see.

But tell me, do you find the unit more stable in what ground; in an audiophile way, in terms of contruction (i.e. mechanism), perhaps the "all package" itself ?

 The totall construction of cd players was better around the 80/90's, because B&O was a becomming a bit audiophile at that time (for example the Penta's). Nowadays B&O cd/dvd players are in my opinion more design and less technical and that's because the units are becomming smaller and smaller (look at the built in dvd players in tv's). I think a good mechanism will need some room and it can't be fit in a tv. The new speakers are just the oposit of that, because the lab 5 and 9 are just some technical wonders . That's why I hope B&O will offer some new more audiophile extern cd/dvd players soon.

 Rogér
 

 

Roger,

I'll pray to that. Long live asthetics + Good Contructrion Quallity + Superb Sound / Image