Just read a review of the Beosound 9000 on the site of "What Hi Fi", a negative comment was written on the sound quality of the CD-player, "there are better sounding CD-players".  

What are your opinions about the sound of the 9000?  

It sounds just as good as any other B&O cd player.

I don't listen to other brands.

I got Beogram CD6500 and CDX to compare with.

I changed from my trusty old Bsnd 3000 (now with parents & playing through an MX) to a new (white!) BSND9000 around 18 months ago.

The CD player is linked into an Avant/Blab4000 AV set up, and nothing else changed in the setup - including the ML cable.

I noticed a marked improvement in "fidelity", for want of a better word.  Better seperation, and more depth / detail etc etc.  It is, without question, an upgrade.

Could be that the BSnd3000 had just got a bit tired, but its never missed a beat in terms of palying discs, and it has played OK since moving to my parents place.

So that suggests to me that a Bsnd9000 is a worthwhile upgrade over an "older" player.  How it would compare side by side to a new bsnd32000 or Bsnd 4 I don't know.

This is all bullsh1t!!

Who does the writer of the review in this hi fi comic think he is? How does he decide what is better to MY ears. He is within his rights to talk about and comment on facilities but sound quality is in the ear of the individual listener. Namely ME!

How does a BS3000 digital music player get tired??? Played too many cd's? Been left on all night and didn't get any sleep?? Please tell me 'cos I don't understand?

I must admit to not perceiving any difference in "sound quality" between BS9000's (I've heard quite a few, of all ages) and any other B&O cd player. There are subtle differences in "sound type" (probably due to the DAC) but this does not equate to quality!!

I do not like the typical "hi fi" overly clinical sound. I much prefer the more mellow, easy to listen to sound that B&O systems provide in abundance. What does that make me??

Answers on a postcard please.

joeyboygolf:

I do not like the typical "hi fi" overly clinical sound. I much prefer the more mellow, easy to listen to sound that B&O systems provide in abundance. What does that make me??

Answers on a postcard please.

You asked... here is my postcard!

burantek:

joeyboygolf:

I do not like the typical "hi fi" overly clinical sound. I much prefer the more mellow, easy to listen to sound that B&O systems provide in abundance. What does that make me??

Answers on a postcard please.

You asked... here is my postcard!

If used with BL5s and the digital connection, it will be as good as any other CD player. Sound might be different if used with the built in DAC through normal Beolabs though I agree with Graham that most CD players sound pretty similar to me. The exception is the CDX, which sounds warmer and more analogue (probably distortion but nice!) I did test some CD players against the CDX at a Hi-Fi shop a couple of years ago. Against £1000 players, it held its own. I did try a Naim CD555 which sounded fantastic - however it was being used in an all Naim system (as was the CDX) and this would obviously favour it. (It did sound absolutely fantastic mind you!) Can't remember the price but £10,000 area!

I took the CDX rather than a CD5500 because it had RCA plugs - Needless to say Naim use DIN plugs!!

joeyboygolf:

This is all bullsh1t!!

joeyboygolf:

How does a BS3000 digital music player get tired??? Played too many cd's? Been left on all night and didn't get any sleep?? Please tell me 'cos I don't understand?

Steady on joeyboy..... I didn't swear at you....

By "tired" what I meant was perhaps not performing as well as it did when new - but I'm not a techie so I can't say why or how this happens, if indeed it can.

I've read all sorts of stuff here about things that degrade over time.....leaky capacitors.... failing resistors.....degraded connections.....etc etc, so I'm sure there will be components (perhaps on the analogue circuitry that do lose some "performance" over time ?  Where's Keith - I bet he would know

BUT.....the CD playback was quite noticeably improved by the changeover - Mrs folkdeejay commented on it, as did the oldest two kids....and we play a lot of music, so it WAS heard across different CD's. 

folkdeejay:

joeyboygolf:

This is all bullsh1t!!

joeyboygolf:

How does a BS3000 digital music player get tired??? Played too many cd's? Been left on all night and didn't get any sleep?? Please tell me 'cos I don't understand?

Steady on joeyboy..... I didn't swear at you....

I wasn't aware that I swore "at" anyone.

Although, like improvements in quality, I suppose it is just a matter of perception!

How should these reviews from What Hi Fi be regarded? The other items from B&o that they've reviewed scored good to excellent in their tests. So it seems they are not singing in the Bash-B&o-choir.  

I think What HiFi have changed their tune toward B&O - I think one of the members went to the factory and was quite surprised at the lengths they go to create a natural sound...

I guess it might depend on the reviewer..?