CD 1 CD Player

A Superior New Technology for CD Playback

The Parasound CD 1 is the ultimate instrument for playing CDs and CD-Rs.

The CD 1 frees CDs from CD player technology that dates back to 1980. The result is a significant sonic improvement in CD playback.

CD drives read CD data only once and bit data is sent out at the same rate as the CD is read, 1:1. CD drives do not have the time, computing power or software to perform all of the calculations necessary to locate and correct bit read errors. To hide missing bits they can only estimate the value that the missing bits could be. When there are two or more bit errors a CD drive reverts to its “error concealment mode.” This sweeps bit errors under the carpet, creating distortion and when a CD drive struggles unsuccessfully to hide bit errors in the limited time available for its data processing you will hear a “click.” The “click” is rarely a flaw in the CD. Rather, it results from the technology limitations; even the most expensive CD players suffer from the same limitations.

The CD 1 does not suffer from these limitations because it uses a CD ROM drive instead of a CD drive. CD ROM drives are a newer and superior technology; with three levels of error calculation they are far better at reading CD data. The CD 1 uses its CD ROM drive in a unique way. The CD 1 CD ROM drive was selected for the lowest number of read errors. Its Intel computer runs Linux with Holm’s proprietary software. Without Windows® or superfluous software there won’t be any “blue screen of death” crashes.

The CD 1 spins CDs four times faster than a CD drive and it reads every part of the CD at least twice, sending a vast amount of data into a very large memory buffer at a 4:1 ratio to its output.

This gives the computer enough time to thoroughly analyze every part of the CD to verify the accuracy of every bit. If it detects a read error, it will re-read the CD as many times as necessary from slightly different spots on the CD until virtually every bit that is passed to its DAC is correct.

CD data from the CD 1 ‘s computer memory asynchronously and achieves near-flawless clock accuracy. The nearly jitter-free (less than 10 picoseconds) bit stream is up-sampled and processed through a sophisticated digital-to-analog converter, not a generic computer card. You can choose two different output stages: an ultra-low noise op-amp or a discrete output with sonic characteristics you might prefer.

The CD 1 has unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR analog outputs. There are two digital power supplies, and the analog circuitry has its own linear power supply with an R-core transformer and a choke for AC line filtering. 3/8” thick aluminum partitions shield every section to achieve a noise floor so low that emerges from a background of utter silence.

If you have a CD collection you owe it to yourself to audition the Parasound CD 1.