What Really Matters in CD/DVD Player Performance, Part III: Does Price Really Matter?

Parts I and II (Issues 71 and 72) of this series highlighted key aspects of what really matters in player performance and reviewed various ways users can test the error correction/concealment and tracking capabilities of their players. Given the claims made in advertising and in audio stores across the country, there is a remaining question that simply begs to be asked: "Do higher priced players/transports equate into better error correction, concealment, and tracking capability?"

With this question in mind I decided to turn my attention to the testing of various CD and DVD players. All the players tested had a digital output, which the Digital Error Detector Professional (DED Pro) requires in order to ascertain players' technical performance. Through some diligent effort (including a lot of driving to visit dealers), I was able to test several machines at various price points. For each player tested, I have tried to indicate both the selling price and the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Figures 1 and 2 show how the players stacked up relative to each other in terms of the parameters I have discussed in my previous two articles. Note that the testing of the players did not concern itself with distortion, linearity at low levels, jitter, etc. These parameters were not measured due to the players being tested in various audio stores and my not having them available for a full product review. Readers interested in such areas should understand that these areas are well under control in the vast array of players, both mass-market as well as high end.

Figure 1 - DVD Player Error Correction/Concealment & Tracking
Capability

                     Highest Track Played      Pierre Verany
                      With CD-CHECK Test      Highest Tracked
                         (Tracks 1-5)       Played of "Drop-Out"
                                                    Test
                                               (Tracks 25-38)

 JVC XV-D2000 DVD          Track 5                Track 34
  Player $500.00
(Retail: $995.95)       Errors = 1,239        Errors = 18,287

Panasonic DVD-A100         Track 5                Track 34
DVD Player $339.00
(Retail: Unknown)       Errors = 4,172        Errors = 20,492

Panasonic DVD-A110         Track 4                Track 32
DVD Player $399.99
(Retail: $450.00)       Errors = 1,102         Errors = 2,112

Panasonic DVD-A310         Track 4                Track 31
DVD Player $599.99
(Retail: $700.00)       Errors = 7,933         Errors = 2,543

Pioneer DV-505 DVD         Track 3                Track 29
  Player $399.00
  (Retail: Same)        Errors = 3,629         Errors = 4,563

                        Pierre Verany          Pierre Verany
                     Highest "Drop-Out &    Highest "Successive
                     Minimum Track Pitch"     Drop-Out" Test
                             Test             (Tracks 44-50)
                        (Tracks 40-43)

 JVC XV-D2000 DVD          Track 42              Track 49
  Player $500.00
(Retail: $995.95)      Errors = 17,283        Errors = 77,082

Panasonic DVD-A100         Track 42              Track 49
DVD Player $339.00
(Retail: Unknown)      Errors = 19,126        Errors = Player
                                             "locked-up" at 8
                                            seconds into Track

Panasonic DVD-A110         Track 41              Track 48
DVD Player $399.99
(Retail: $450.00)      Errors = 27,782        Errors = 45,639

Panasonic DVD-A310        Track # 40             Track 47
DVD Player $599.99
(Retail: $700.00)       Errors = 5,768        Errors = 14,811

Pioneer DV-505 DVD    Could not play any         Track 46
  Player $399.00       of Tracks 40-43
  (Retail: Same)        without errors         Errors = 9889
Figure 2 - CD Player Error Correction/Concealment & Tracking
Capability

                         Highest Track Played       Pierre Verany
                          With CD-CHECK Test    Highest Track Played
                             (Tracks 1-5)        of "Drop-Out" Test
                                                   (Tracks 25-38)

  JVC XU-301BK MD-CD           Track 5                Track 34
   Combination Deck
       $359.00              Errors = 1,186         Errors = 13,717
  (Retail: $550.00)

Wadia Digital Model 20         Track 5                Track 34
     CD Transport
      $4,500.00            Errors = 51,247         Errors = 36,911
  (Retail: Unknown)

    Pioneer PDR-04             Track 5                Track 34
Recordable CD Player
       $799.00             Errors = 61,364      Errors = Locked up at
  (Retail: $995.00)                             43 seconds into Track

California Audio Labs          Track 4                Track 33
  Delta CD-Transport
       $895.00               Errors = 21            Errors = 236
  (Retail: Unknown)

  * Krell DAV-300cd            Track 4                Track 33
      $3,500.00
    (Retail: Same)           Errors = 313          Errors = 22,473

  * Marantz CD-67SE            Track 4                Track 32
       $500.00
    (Retail: Same)           Errors = 764       Errors = Locked up at
                                                   start of Track

   * Rotel RCD-971             Track 4                Track 32
       $700.00
    (Retail: Same)          Errors = 1866       Errors = Locked up 8
                                                 seconds Into Track

    * Linn Karik               Track 4                Track 33
      $3,495.00
 (Retail: $3,595.00)        Errors = 3,413          Errors = 292

   * Rega Planet               Track 4                Track 32
       $795.00
    (Retail: Same)          Errors = 6,671          Errors = 506

                             Pierre Verany           Pierre Verany
                          Highest "Drop-Out &     Highest "Successive
                         Minimum Track Pitch"       Drop-out" Test
                                 Test               (Tracks 44-50)
                            (Tracks 40-43)

 JVC XU-301BK MD-CD           Track 41                Track 49
   Combination Deck
       $359.00                Errors = 53           Errors = 73,178
  (Retail: $550.00)

Wadia Digital Model 20         Track 42                Track 49
     CD Transport
      $4,500.00             Errors = 34,363      Errors = Locked up at
  (Retail: Unknown)                               beginning of Track

    Pioneer PDR-04             Track 42                Track 49
Recordable CD Player
       $799.00           Errors = Locked up at   Errors = Locked up at
  (Retail: $995.00)      20 seconds into Track      start of Track

California Audio Labs          Track 41                Track 48
  Delta CD-Transport
       $895.00               Errors = 1698           Errors = 670
  (Retail: Unknown)

  * Krell DAV-300cd            Track 41                Track 49
      $3,500.00
    (Retail: Same)        Errors = Locked up      Errors = Locked up

  * Marantz CD-67SE            Track 40                Track 48
       $500.00
    (Retail: Same)       Errors = Locked up at   Errors = Locked up at
                            start of Track          start of Track

   * Rotel RCD-971             Track 41                Track 47
       $700.00
    (Retail: Same)       Errors = Locked up at      Errors = 2,581
                          beginning of Track

     * Linn Karik              Track 41                Track 48
      $3,495.00
 (Retail: $3,595.00)      Errors = Locks up &     Errors = Locks up &
                            "jumps" Tracks          "jumps" Tracks

     * Rega Planet             Track 41                Track 48
       $795.00
    (Retail: Same)          Errors = 3,316          Errors = 1,016

Two of the best double-blind tests of players' performance have been written about in Stereo Review (January 1986 and December 1988). Player performance has come a long way since then, and it is my personal belief that the audible differences between properly functioning players are effectively nonexistent. This last statement is especially true when using music as a test source instead of test signals (and even using the latter as a test source, I'd say that listeners would have an extremely difficult time being able to tell various players apart based on their sonic characteristics -- if at all!). However, if you're concerned about the kind of measurable technical performance that does make a difference in how well a CD or DVD player is going to be able to read real-world discs in real-world use -- read on.

How to Interpret the Test Results: Figures 1 and 2 show the test results from the DVD and CD players, respectively. The uppermost row shows the various test tracks each player was able to successfully navigate with the associated error rates listed in the column directly below it. The important point to bear in mind is that the higher numbered track a player is able to play equates to better performance. For example, a player that can play track number 5 of CD-CHECK is better than a player that can only negotiate CD-CHECK track number 4 with errors. The same relationship holds true for the Pierre Verany test disc tracks, i.e., higher-numbered tracks, within a grouping, equals better player performance. In order for a player to be tested at a higher level test track, it must first successfully pass, without any errors, the previous test track.

Each test was repeated three times and the average error rate was then computed. The reason for taking an average of three error readings is that the players have slight variations during each iteration of the test, even when testing with the same test disc/ track, because the players' error correction/ concealment circuitry and internal laser servo tracking mechanisms do not react to the errors in quite the same way each time the particular track is played. The CD-CHECK tests were run for the entire 20-second duration of the test tone encoded on each track of the test disc and the Pierre Verany tests were run for the entire duration of their tracks as well.

The rank ordering of the majority of the players was relatively straightforward in that players that tested well with CD-CHECK also tested well with the Pierre Verany test disc. Players with an asterisk by their brand name did not necessarily follow this pattern. In these cases, the rank ordering was determined by their performance with the CD-CHECK disc due to each of its errors, as counted by the DED Pro device, correlating perfectly with an audible "chirping" sound or the players' "muting" their output temporarily. This same fact was not true for the Pierre Verany test disc simulated error tracks, i.e., errors could register on the DED Pro device, yet they were not always audible until they became more severe. This last fact highlights the clear superiority of CD-CHECK over the Pierre Verany test disc for users not owning a DED device and/or for players lacking a digital output.

It is important to know the size/types of errors each column in Figures 1 and 2 represent. The size of the various errors on the CD-CHECK test disc are as follows: track 2 = 0.375 mm, track 3 = 0.750 mm, track 4 = 1.125 mm, and track 5 = 1.500 mm. The best CD/DVD player in this round of tests was the JVC XU-301BK MD-CD combination deck with an average error rate of 1,186 on track 5, followed closely by the JVC XV-D2000 DVD player with an average error rate of 1,239 on track 5, (a very negligible difference).

The errors on the Pierre Verany test disc are broken down into three distinct groupings. Group one consists of tracks 25-38. Group one's tracks test the players' ability to handle various sizes of dropouts, (absence of data on the disc). The size of the dropouts on this track ranges from 0.05 mm (track 25) up to 4.00 mm, (track 38). The best CD/DVD player tested with this track was the JVC XU-301BK MD-CD Combination Deck with an average error rate of 13,717 for track # 34, (track 34 equates to a dropout size of 2.00 mm).

The second grouping on the Pierre Verany test disc consists of a combination of dropouts of various sizes coupled with the minimum track pitch the CD Red Book Standard allows, (1.50 micrometer). The size of the errors on the tracks are as follows: track 40 = 1.00 mm, track 41 = 1.5 mm, track 42 = 2.00 mm, and track 43 = 2.4 mm. Recall that the errors are made more difficult because of the minimum track pitch this test simultaneously superimposes on the player. This test is really only supposed to be used on players that passed a few of group one's tracks ranging from tracks 31-35. Only two players were unable to play cleanly (without errors) through tracks # 31, i.e., the Panasonic DVD-A310 DVD player and the Pioneer DV-505 DVD player. Even so, I put both of these players though this second group of tests (neither fared too well). The best performing player in this round of testing ended up being the JVC XV-D2000 DVD player with 17,283 errors on track 42.

The third and last grouping of tests on the Pierre Verany disc is tracks 44-50. These tracks test the players' abilities to handle and correct for successive dropouts. The reason for this test is that a player that successfully handles a single dropout may nonetheless be unable to successfully pass a series of successive dropouts. The best performing player in this test was the JVC XU-301BK MD-CD combination deck with an average error rate of 73,178 on track 49. This unit was followed closely by the JVC XV-D2000 DVD player with an average error rate of 77,082 on track 49.

What Does This All Really Mean?:

Some will no doubt take exception to the fact that this round of testing has solely concentrated on the error correction/concealment and laser-servo tracking capabilities of the various players. There is more than a grain of truth to this criticism. Recall from Part I of this series (Issue 71) that I had stated that ergonomic features, a good remote control, etc. are vitally important. These aspects of player performance were not evaluated in this round of testing, (a relatively unreasonable expectation as I was hopping from one audio store to the next and did not have the players at home for a complete review). However, if we restrict ourselves to what I consider to be the critical performance aspects of the players, one fact rings clear -- you don't have to spend a lot of money to get superb performance! Now that's some $ensible advice -- and it may end up saving you some money to boot!

Some of the most highly touted heavyweight hitters in the industry fell far short of the "mass-market," consumer hi-fi gear in objective testing -- the kind of gear that audio snobs love to contemptuously dismiss as "mid-fi." What would have really been nice is to have had at least two of the same model of players available in order to see if the players' performance had a level of consistency from unit to unit. However, one would expect that the higher priced units would be more likely to have been "tweaked" prior to leaving the factory floor in order to ensure that they were in the best performing condition possible.

Speaking of tweaking, by the way, it appears that the folks at JVC have been doing their homework and maintaining a high level of consistency throughout their product line. A quick glance at Figures 1 and 2 will show each to be the top of their respective category.

So why should you care about the error correction/concealment and laser-servo tracking capabilities of your player? A couple of reasons, the first being that all discs, be they CD or DVD, have errors on them. That's right -- even brand-new discs that have just been opened for the first time. Generally speaking, these discs will not have so many errors so as to overstress the players' capabilities. However, what about 1, 5, or 10 years from now? After being transported, handled, put in the car (if you have a car CD changer or player), will your shiny discs be in such pristine condition then? It makes sense to look at the error correction/concealment and laser-servo tracking capabilities of any player you plan on purchasing, because your significant other, kids, and klutzy friends will often handle your discs as well.

The second reason has to do with the wear and tear that occurs with any device that uses mechanical moving parts. The many moving parts in a player can wear with time and the periodic use and of a test CD to check your player for this sort of failing is a good idea to ensure it is working up to par. Why settle for half the pie when you can have it all?

One last question merits asking: What about the long term reliability of the media? The longevity of your discs depends primarily on how they are handled and stored. Conventional CDs use aluminum as their metal reflective layer and because aluminum is reasonably reactive it can corrode when exposed. Note I am not saying your discs are massively oxidizing away as you read this page, (the old CD-rot scare). The models that predict the lifetime expectancy of the CD and DVD storage media are based on complex statistical procedures. In fact, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) currently has a committee which is developing the guidelines for disc lifetime estimates, (Committee 119-5). The mathematical modeling that longevity estimates are based on says the discs should last for well over a person's lifetime. I'm not saying these models are incorrect, but it sure makes sense to me to pick a player that has better error correction/concealment and laser-servo tracking capabilities should the models be proven to be overly optimistic.

What should happen should you choose a player with poor error correction/concealment and laser-servo tracking capabilities? If you have a poor quality/damaged disc, coupled with a player with poor error correction/concealment and tracking capabilities, then the audible result upon playback would be the sound of clicking and/or periodic muting of the output of the player. Not too good, huh? And please note that spending a lot of money for a "high-end" player is not necessarily going to help you in this regard.

So there you have it. Hopefully you're now armed with more knowledge than when you started reading this series. I hope readers will stop wasting their precious time and money worrying about things that don't really make an audible difference, i.e., D/A converters, jitter, etc. Armed with the information from this series, a CD-CHECK test disc, and a good set of ears, you should be able to select a reasonably priced player that meets all your expectations, and which performs well to boot. Happy hunting! -- RT