I'm hoping that some of you guys who are familiar with the Eclipse 2004 line-up can answer this question.

I bought an Eclipse 3424 in January and have been pretty happy with it. Recently I picked up a 3434 at a great price to try out. It has several user interface issues that really annoy me, so the only reason that I would keep this deck over my 3424 is sound quality.

Unfortunately, my system is still in progress (lots of components in boxes waiting to be installed), so I can't hear any SQ difference between the two decks myself right now.

Is the 3434 superior to the the 3424 as far as sound quality is concerned? Thanks in advance for your comments and advice.

Eclipse 3424


Eclipse 3434

 

Both cd players have the exact same internals, from pre-amp, to laser transport to tuner. The internal amplifier is a little different and of course the drop down face and feature content for it.

 

Thanks for the reply. In your opinion, would any of the differences between the two models result in an audible improvement in SQ when using external amps?

I dug out my 2004 Eclipse brochure and noticed that it lists the following differences between the 3434 and 3424:

- The 3434 has MOSFET amplification while the 3424 does not

- Stereo separation 80dB vs 76dB

- S/N ratio 95dB vs. 90dB

- Dynamic range 95dB vs. 90dB

- THD 0.01% vs. 0.02%

- Tone controls +12dB vs. +10dB

Are these figures just marketing numbers to help differentiate the products, or is there any truth to this?

Basically I'm trying to determine if there is any SQ advantage for the 3434 over the 3424.

 

no, MR2NR is right...the 3434 has 4 volt preouts, where the 3424 has 1.8 volts. My figures might be off, but I'm sure I am right.

 

No advantage to using the CD3434 over the CD3424 in a fully amplified system.
(unless Westec has insider information that we don't know or were not made aware of which somehow seems unlikely).

 

Thanks for the replies guys, very much appreciated

 

Just a question about the eclipse decks, I am thinking of getting one. My concern is that i really like the sub control features on the pioneer decks. Do the new eclipse decks have selectable cut off frequencies for sub ?

 

Yes depending on what model cd 5435 is one of them.