CD Player/Transport Reviews

JVC XL-Z1050TN CD player Measurements

Sidebar 2: Measurements

Fig.1 indicates a virtually ruler-flat frequency response, while in fig.2 the de-emphasis response indicates that no response-caused aberrations will be experienced with pre-emphasized discs. The fine squarewave response (fig.3) again is typical of a player with a linear-phase digital filter, but with a slight overshoot on the leading edge. And in fig.4, only the measured crosstalk from left to right is shown; the right-to-left curve practically overlays it.

Fig.1 JVC XL-Z1050TN, frequency response at 0dBFS (right channel dashed, 0.5dB/vertical div.).

Fig.2 JVC XL-Z1050TN, de-emphasis error (right channel dashed, 0.5dB/vertical div.).

Fig.3 JVC XL-Z1050TN, waveform of 1kHz squarewave at 0dBFS (2ms time window).

Fig.4 JVC XL-Z1050TN, channel separation (10dB/vertical div.).

The JVC's response due to a dithered, 1kHz –90.31dB tone is shown in fig.5. Neither distortion artifacts nor power-supply noise are evident in this curve, and the minor (about 1dB) linearity error at –90.31dB is likely due to a small error in the curve's calibration. The latter is confirmed in fig.6, showing perfectly linear output down to –100dB, and an average deviation (minus the expected low-level noise) within 1dB down to below –110dB. Listening to the fade-to-noise with dither track from the CBS CD-1 test disc produced a clean fade to noise free of audible artifacts. The noise spectrum of a silent (infinity zero) test track is shown in fig.7. Note that in this 1-bit player there is a significant increase in noise at ultrasonic frequencies, though still below –95dB at 150kHz. Recall that the noise-shaping found in 1-bit machines shifts noise upward in frequency to above the audible range, where most of it is removed by additional, usually very gradual, analog filtration.

Fig.5 JVC XL-Z1050TN, spectrum of dithered 1kHz tone at -90.31dBFS, with noise and spuriae (right channel dashed).

Fig.6 JVC XL-Z1050TN, left-channel departure from linearity (2dB/vertical div.).

Fig.7 JVC XL-Z1050TN, spectrum of digital black with noise and spuriae (1/3-octave analysis, right channel dashed).

The –90.31dB, 1kHz undithered tone in fig.8 presents a reasonably good approximation of the expected stairstep response to playback of this signal, with the typical addition of ultrasonic noise. And the intermodulation spectrum (fig.9) was excellent, with no distortion products visible above the analyzer noise floor.

Fig.8 JVC XL-Z1050TN, waveform of undithered 1kHz sinewave at -90.31dBFS.

Fig.9 JVC XL-Z1050TN, HF intermodulation spectrum, DC-30kHz, 19+20kHz at 0dBFS, 100k ohm load (linear frequency scale, 10dB/vertical div.).

The JVC had no DC offset on its outputs, and was non-inverting. Its output impedance measured 103 ohms within a fraction of an ohm on both channels at the fixed outputs. The variable output measured 503.9 ohms at full volume, 4254 ohms at one-half volume, which again will roll off the highs with suboptimal interconnect choices. The output of the JVC measured 2.18V on both channels in response to a 1kHz tone at 0dB, this 0.75dB above the standard level.—Thomas J. Norton

COMPANY INFO
JVC
Elmwood Park
NJ 07407
www.jvc.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
BradleyP's picture
Submitted by BradleyP on February 17, 2016 - 7:11am

I have one of these in near-mint condition that I bought new in 1992. That's a 24-year old CD player that has been my main digital front end all along and still performs flawlessly. A couple of years ago, I decided to see how much difference it would make to use it as a transport and bang a $1000 DAC on the end of it. The sonic difference was miniscule. I'm not sure if it was even better, just a little different, so the DAC went to my desk system instead. I certainly got my money's worth!

Allen Fant's picture
Submitted by Allen Fant on February 18, 2016 - 2:15pm

It's all in the measurements, specifically, the S/N ratio. The players from Japan always did well in this respect. Denon, JVC, Yamaha, Sony ES and Pioneer Elite. In 2016 and moving forward it is difficult to find a spinner go above 110dB.

Oldsport's picture
Submitted by Oldsport on February 24, 2016 - 12:04pm

My first CD player was a Yamaha. I didn’t know any better. Then came the JVC. It really wasn’t bad. I sold mine to a cute woman I wanted to ask out. I don’t think I ever actually did ask her. The fun thing I remember about the 1050 was that it could actually show that green markers could make a difference in the sound. I had two identical copies of the Gregg Smith Singers doing, among other carols, In Dulci Jubilo. They were a fine group of disciplined, well-trained voices that never went for a “hoity-toity,” pretentious sound. Out of curiosity, one disc got green-penned, one didn’t. The CD without greening sounded quite pleasant, but if you tried to follow the individual parts of the polyphony, it could be difficult. Throw in the marked CD and it would become a piece of cake to follow any part you wanted. I (and who am I, anyway?) figure the green absorbed stray light and the eye pattern got tightened. Who knows? But I swear you could hear it, though my best friend still laughs derisively at the idea. Nowadays, my CD player is too good for the green pen to make any difference. I prefer it that way, but I know what I heard...back then...when we ate rocks and we liked it!

Sal1950's picture
Submitted by Sal1950 on February 24, 2016 - 11:00pm

Bought my new back in 92 after Corey's and others positive reviews. Had it till 2010 when I needed to downsize my system to move into much smaller retirement digs. It was and is one awesome player, I tried it alone and against a number of high end DACs on the digital output. Never could justify the expenditure on the newer big buck DACs. The JVC sounded just as good as anything I tried it with. To boot the whole thing is built like a tank (18 lbs!) and with good care should last a very long time, it was built using all top notch components. Besides it was MUCH better looking than my computer system that houses all my music today. :(
I hope the gentleman that bought it off ebay is enjoying it, it worked and sounded "as new" when the UPS man handed it to him.
One of the all time great classic CD players!

PaulW's picture
Submitted by PaulW on June 25, 2022 - 1:05pm

I've been using mine since 1992 as well. I've got it connected to a Micromega DAC into C-J pre and power amps and it sounds just fine to me!

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