HOW COMPACT DISCS, PLAYERS STACK UP

Are there really differences among compact-disc players-- big differences? Some experts don’t think so. Consumer Reports’ last survey of CD machines, for example, concluded that differences were minimal, particularly regarding how the decks sound. But not everyone agrees.

Digital Audio and Compact Disc Review is the unwieldy name of the most popular--and feistiest--magazine specializing in CDs and their players.

It’s a real hodgepodge of some of the worst and best coverage in this area. The best: its colorful, gossipy news items and its knowledgeable articles on CD technology. The worst: its pop reviews--where almost everything gets a positive rating, especially if it’s unadventuresome--and its stone-age editorials, one of which included this little misogynist gem, “I can’t recall ever meeting a woman who could tell Sibelius from Shostakovich.”

Fortunately, most of the New Hampshire publication’s writing shows a lot more sense. Last June, the magazine came up with its most provoking shots--a “The Best and the Worst” issue--a tell-it-like-it-is set of lists. Now, with the June, 1987 issue, Digital Audio comes “The Best and Worst II.”

Following are some of the magazine’s recommendations . . . and warnings:

10 BEST CD PLAYERS

Of the players tested by Digital Audio, these are the 10 best , listed alphabetically. However, the magazine notes that “it’s getting harder to find a truly bad player these days.” Prices are suggested list; discount-store costs generally run 20%-30% less. Comments are excerpted.

ADS CD4, $900. “Thoroughly high-class.”

Alpine 7902 (combination CD player/AM-FM tuner for cars), $850. “A half-generation ahead of its peers.”

Denon DCD-1300, $550. “First-rate performance at a moderate price.”

Magnavox CDB 650, $429. “Delivers sound that is both precise and dynamic.”

Nakamichi OMS-4A, $995. “The beauty of this player lies buried in its interior.”

Shure D6000, $599. “Fundamental engineering and no-nonsense audio quality.”

Sony CDX-A10 (car CD changer), $999.95. Sony’s 10-disc “DiscJockey” model mounts in the car’s trunk.

Sony D-10 (portable), $349.95. “Don’t let the diminutive size fool you. The D-10 has the capabilities of many home players.”

Vector Research VCD-770, $399.95. “A good, basic value” from the small Camarillo company.

Yamaha CDX-500U. $399. “Integrity of design and construction, and essentially pleasing sonics.”

Comments: Digital Audio’s list contains no CD changers for the home, though several are available, including a home version of the DiscJockey. The exclusion may be because technical specifications for changers don’t quite match single-disc players yet, but this matters little in the incredible-specs area of CD, and the changers--which have discount prices from $350 to $700--enable the listener to program tracks from several discs.

Also, the magazine’s list naturally focuses on mid- to high-range models. Most CD players cost considerably less and deliver satisfactory sound. Remote control is the main feature missing from lower-priced models, though it’s much less needed than with televisions or VCRs.

BEST DIGITAL POP CDs

Unlike classical ones, few pop CDs are digitally recorded (most are taken from analog master tapes, including their hiss). Here are some exceptions.

1. Jennifer Warnes: “Famous Blue Raincoat,” Cypress. A “stunning, pure-from-the-heart recording.”

2. Bruce Springsteen: “Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Live 1975-1985,” CBS (three-disc set). “A recording milestone.”

3. Billy Joel: “The Bridge,” CBS. “His best-sounding CD yet.”

4. Joe Jackson: “Big World,” A&M.; “A direct-to-digital two-track recording” with “near-perfect sound.”

5. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: “The Pacific Age,” A&M.; “Dazzling brightness.”

DUBIOUS CDs

Digital Audio seems to have softened a little from last year--or maybe quality has improved so much that fewer potshots were needed this year. In any case, the new issue is missing one of last year’s features--a roundup of the worst CD players the magazine had tested. However, there were still plenty of lousy CDs to kick around, including:

Art Garfunkel: “Angel Clare,” CBS. “His saccharine delivery is only made more unremarkable by the disc’s mediocre sound.”

Yardbirds: “20 Greatest Hits,” Spectrum. “What happened to the second half of several tunes, chopped off in the middle with no explanation?”

“The Golden Beatles,” Overseas. “Five tracks of complete nonsense, including two Beatle ‘interviews’ and imitation Beatle music.”

Frank Sinatra: “That’s Life,” Reprise. “Too bad the sound on this CD is so uneven; and too bad there’s no way to turn down the band.”

“Thunderstorm Terror and Tropical Rain Forest,” Gateway. “How could anyone relax while listening to 25 minutes of thunder that sounds like someone rattling a sheet of metal?”