Can I get decent stereo out of a DVD recorder?

[ajkgordon]

I'm just starting to build a budget hi-fi system and HC. To save money, I'm trying to see if different components can "double-up", such as DVD players as CD players, 5.1 receivers as stereo amps and so on.

While I think I've found a couple of good options for DVD players as good stereo CD players, e.g. Cambridge Audio 540D, I'm not finding any feedback on the CD capability of DVD recorders.

Anyone have any advice and/or experience on this? I know the Pioneers have a good reputation, (and I have looked at the DVR433), but what are they like for basic stereo CD playing?

 

[ajkgordon]

Hello?

 

[ajkgordon]

___echo___

 

[JayCee]

I'm just starting to build a budget hi-fi system and HC. To save money, I'm trying to see if different components can "double-up", such as DVD players as CD players, 5.1 receivers as stereo amps and so on.

While I think I've found a couple of good options for DVD players as good stereo CD players, e.g. Cambridge Audio 540D, I'm not finding any feedback on the CD capability of DVD recorders.

Anyone have any advice and/or experience on this? I know the Pioneers have a good reputation, (and I have looked at the DVR433), but what are they like for basic stereo CD playing?

I have a Toshiba RD-XS30 (forerunner to the RD-XS32/34) and my wife plays her CDs on it while doing her ironing.
It sounds okay to me.

 

[Muddy]

Hi,
The answer to your question depends on what you mean by a decent sound.
I realise that does not answer your question so here goes. Basically most modern reasonable DVD players that I have heard sound just fine with CD material BUT I have never heard a modestly priced receiver & 5.1 etc speakers that sounded acceptable with CD's.

The DVD player will most probably be fine IF connected to a Stereo amp & proper HiFi stereo speakers.

As I said it all depends on what you think sounds reasonable. I am horrified at the over bass heavy mush & harsh sound that comes from most AV systems yet others must think them worth buying.

Chris

 

[Oldjim]

The critical factor here will probably be the quality of your 5.1 amplifier playing in stereo and your speakers in twin channel mode as you really don't want to artificially convert a stereo stream into surround sound. The other thing to decide is where you want the digital decoding to take place - in the amplifier so that the DVD/CD player only provides the digital signal or in the DVD/CD player with individual audio feeds to the amplifier.
Side issue - personally I don't like stereo audio playing using a sub woofer so I have much bigger stereo speakers with good size bass.

 

[ajkgordon]

Hi,
The answer to your question depends on what you mean by a decent sound.
I realise that does not answer your question so here goes. Basically most modern reasonable DVD players that I have heard sound just fine with CD material BUT I have never heard a modestly priced receiver & 5.1 etc speakers that sounded acceptable with CD's.

The DVD player will most probably be fine IF connected to a Stereo amp & proper HiFi stereo speakers.

As I said it all depends on what you think sounds reasonable. I am horrified at the over bass heavy mush & harsh sound that comes from most AV systems yet others must think them worth buying.

Chris

Yes, I am considering a separate stereo amp to power the two fronts - Diamond 8.3s.

I have audioned a Denon 5.1 receiver which sounded fine in "Pure Direct" stereo but it was a bit pricey. I'm now thinking of a cheapo HC receiver but with a good but basic stereo amp driving the front two from pre-amp. Have to think about the wiring though...

Side issue - personally I don't like stereo audio playing using a sub woofer so I have much bigger stereo speakers with good size bass.

Neither do I which is why I'm going for a reasonable set of floor standers first off.

Brilliant stuff people, thanks a lot.

Any DVD recorders to avoid for stereo CD playback?

 

[Muddy]

How I agree with oldjim about sub woofers. A speaker system needs to be even sounding and balanced. Sticking a sub base with speakers is absolutely bound to give an imbalanced sound. OK for movies but not for music.

As an aside and heretically on this forum I don't really rate surround sound at all for anything! Not unless you can spend a fortune anyway.

To my ears a reasonable stereo amp with reasonable speakers - lets say £400-£500 all in will sound vastly better with any source material than an AV system of the same price. I have heard various AV systems in shops that sound OK but then are much less good when the compromised speaker positions etc that most of us must tolerate for 5, 6 or 7 speakers in a room are taken into account. I suggest that you try it & see before you spend your money.

Chris

 

[Wild Rumpus]

I'm using a Denon AV3805 receiver with Linn Ninkas and a Ruark Log-Rythm subwoofer and I reckon that it sounds better in stereo with the sub woofer. This may be because it is a pretty musical sub and that I am using floor standing speakers - so the sub isn't being asked to do too much.