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Mid-priced CDPs: Old vs. new technology

I’ve been pretty much out of the digital loop for a while, content with my inexpensive, aging Sony CD player. Now I’m trying to catch up, so please excuse the massive ignorance I’m about to display.

In CD players under about $1,500, I see what seem to be older technologies competing with new ones. I’ve read about new DAC technologies with spiffy names like Black Fin (Cambridge) and Sabre (Oppo and Eastern Electric), and I wonder whether they represent a significant improvement over older technologies.

There are players like the Jolida JD 100, which I believe is nearly 10 years old (but still seems to sell quickly on Audiogon). The Rega Apollo, I believe, is a few years old, as is the Njoe Tjoeb and a few other popular players.

Would it be wrong to think of the older technologies (i.e., Jolida, etc.) as obsolete or tending toward it? Are the newer technologies superior or just the “flavors of the month” and/or marketing hype? Thanks for any thoughts you may have.
-Bob
hesson11
hesson11 OP
233 posts
 
Thanks a lot, Tgrisham. I've read of some dissatisfaction with upsampling. That's one of the reasons I'm curious about the advantages (or disadvantages) of the "latest, hottest" technology. It's also interesting that you speak highly of the Jolida, even after experiencing some of the more recent players/DACs shown in your system. Thanks very much for your thoughts.

Thanks to you, too, Viridian. It seems your thoughts on old vs. new gear is similar to Tgrisham's. Very informative, and I appreciate it.
-Bob
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
You're welcome, and that would be wrong, my thoughts on old vs. new gear are not at all like Tgrishams.
hesson11 OP
233 posts
 
My apologies if I misunderstood, Viridian, but my reference to the similarity in your opinions was based on the fact that you both indicated that older players still had at least some good things going for them in comparison to newer ones. That was the general thrust of my question and perhaps that's what I focused on in reading your replies.
-Bob
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
No apology needed. I misunderstood and thought that you were speaking to the specifics and not the broader observiation. Good luck in the hunt. The journey is often a lot more fun than the destination.
hesson11 OP
233 posts
 
>>The journey is often a lot more fun than the destination.<<

And a hell of a lot cheaper! Thanks.
-Bob
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