[Doublej]

New DVD players sell for under $40. Has anyone tired one for use as a CD player? If so how did it sound?

I am currently using an Imac with an Audioquest Dragonfly DAC and am wondering how much better or worse a standalone DVD player would sound for CDs.

[srb]

I have two inexpensive DVD players, a Denon and a Yamaha.

Yes it's true that a dedicated CD player with laser optimized for CDs might give a tiny bit better results than a DVD player's laser optimized for DVDs, but I think the player's internal DAC and analog output stage will be the biggest determining factor in sound quality.

For those that have a DAC with S/PDIF digital inputs, the DVD's sound quality will be more similar to the computer source using the player's digital output.  But with a USB-only DAC like the Firefly, I think you'll find that having to use the budget player's internal DAC, the sound quality will likely be a notch below what you're getting now with the iMac > Firefly DAC.

Steve

[Super Hans]

I've been wondering the same thing.
I'm thinking of getting a Blu Ray player since I've seen some 24 bit music I like on BR.

[Guy 13]

While I was in Montreal last year,
I bought for 50$ (CND) Sony DVD (Only) player
and I played some CDs that I knew very well how they sounded
and of course, they did not sound as good as my Rega Apollo.
One day, I would like to buy the OPPO 95 or 105 so I can get
the best of DVD, Bluray and CDs.

Guy 13

[Poultrygeist]

I'd suggest looking for a older CD player using the famous Phillips TDA1541 chip. Very warm and analog sounding which competes with many of the expensive CD players of today.

I have a Rotel RCD-855 which sonically runs neck and neck with my Marantz 8004 playing red book discs. The Marantz is however better with SACD which the Rotel can't play.

Here's a list of players using the TDA1541 DAC chip.

http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/Overview-Philips-TDA1541-based-cdplayers/

FWIW I have a highly regarded Audio GD DAC which I use with my iMac but the Marantz playing SACD has superior SQ.