List of CD players that can decode pre-emphasis

My Cambridge Azur 840C CD player cannot decode pre-emphasis .

I wonder if we could make a list of CD (and universal) players that actually can. I think it would be better if we focus on current players, but feel free to comment on previous models.

I think we could also list those players that cannot decode pre-emphasis. We could write the ones that can decode pre-emphasis in blue and the ones that can't in red, for instance.

With so many great early masterings that are pre-emphasized, I think this list can be helpful for future reference

I'll start

Pioneer DV-656A (CD/SACD/DVD-A/DVD-V...)

Cambridge Azur 840C CD

 

My Benchmark DAC 1 Pre is said to decode this. I wonder do apodizing CD/SACD players like my Esoteric sa50 have any ability with these type of Cds? John M.

 

Many older players like JVC models have a pre-emphasis light that illuminates when it encounters a CD with pre-emphasis. I know the JVC XL-V550 does FOR SURE.

 

Thanks for your replies

CD/Universal players

Pioneer DV-656A (CD/SACD/DVD-A/DVD-V...)
JVC XL-V550

Cambridge Azur 840C CD

DACs

Benchmark DAC 1 Pre

 

My old 1990s Cambridge Dacmagic 2 Mk.II can decode pre-emphasis it has a light called EQ which illuminates on discs like my original Factory UK New Order "Low-life".

 

Thanks for your replies

CD/Universal players

Pioneer DV-656A (CD/SACD/DVD-A/DVD-V...)
JVC XL-V550

Cambridge Azur 840C CD

DACs

Benchmark DAC 1 Pre
Cambridge Dacmagic 2 Mk.II

 

Really dumb question coming up, how do I know if my CDP can decode pre-emphasis?

 

Put on an early Japanese edition of Thriller or Toto IV or the Toshiba-EMI Abbey Road. If it sounds very bright, the CDP doesn't decode pre-emphasis. (IIRC there is a thread here with a list of pre-emphased CDs)

 

My Sony CDP337ESD player will decode it with a analogue eq.
The Benchmark DAC1 wil do that in digital.

 

I just always assumed that all Sony, Denon, Pioneer and Teac (esoteric) players do. Is that wrong? My Sony player (manufactured just 4 or 5 years ago) actually still has the old "Index" function.

 

I would be curious about Marantz as I am considering buying one and have lots of early cds.....

 

Go here:

http://www.stereophile.com/category/cd-playertransport-reviews/

http://www.stereophile.com/category/hi-rez-disc-playertransport-reviews/

http://www.stereophile.com/category/digital-processor-reviews/

and check the measurements sections.

An example of correct de-emphasis: http://www.stereophile.com/content/marantz-sa-1-sacd-player-measurements

An example of incorrect de-emphasis: http://www.stereophile.com/content/dcs-p8i-sacd-player-measurements

 

This recent review shows very little difference in the frequency responses:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/marantz-cd5004-cd-player-marantz-cd5004-cd-player-measurements

 

Probably a better question to ask to help the OP is:

When did some makers, if at all, stop using pre-emphasis?

Most of the Pioneer, Denon, Sony, Technics and JVC players I have used from old to later played preemphasis discs correctly.

I'd be curious to know if DVD and BD players flag it correctly.

 

Very interesting - thanks!

 

I thought all CD players that sport the CD logo have to properly de-emphasize, as it's part of the redbook spec. Could be wrong, but this is what I understood.

 

After I read here a while back that the Cambridge 840C did not de-emphasise pre-emphasis, I tested my (otherwise really crappy) Cambride DVD99 universal player, and it does. Not that I use it to play CDs anyway.

I'd suggest that the list be kept to players that don't handle pre-emphasis, as most players should (or so I would hope).
I find it quite appalling that a dedicated "CD player" (especially one priced as high as the Cambridge) does not conform to the redbook specification.

 

I agree with you. It's frustrating spending a lot of money on a very good player and discovering it does not conform to the red book specification

It's a good idea. I thought it would be helpful to have a sort of shopping list

 

Thanks, I am interested in the Marantz CD5001, I assume the measurements would be similar to the above.

I can test the player but not sure what I should listen for, is it obvious? I have Abbey Rd, DSOM, and WYWH (all pre-emp cds) I can test. Any particulay passage that would stick out?

 

I wonder if the Cambridge 650C does, probably.

 

I tested by using EAC to rip a pre-emphasis disc as a single .wav and create a cue sheet. The .cue file should have a line FLAGS PRE for the .wav file with pre-emphasis (though I gather this is not always the case with some discs).

If you delete the FLAGS PRE from the cue sheet, and burn a copy using that cue sheet, you can compare your newly burned disc to the original
If de-emphasis is working, the copy should sound much brighter than the original.

 

Dumber question: what is pre-emphasis and should I care?

 

Who knows and probably not.

 

My 1983 Mitsubishi DP-101 first generation vertical loading CD Player detects the emphasis flag and it illuminates a light on the main display.

Here's a YouTube video of my Mitsubishi player in action.

 

http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=Pre-emphasis

If you have pre-emphasisized CDs and your player can decode pre-emphasis properly, you don't have to