Decoders chart

[winopener]

Sometimes arise the question "which decoder is the best for that system" and after the very pricey classic responses that points to rare hardware (tate, 9001..) often follows the question: what could be a decent decoder that I can afford - or because it's easier to find (example: sony SQ) - or because it cost less than a arm&leg.
So, why not make a "Decoders Chart"?

Separate entries for SQ, QS and CD4, standalone or integrated into amp/receiver, differencies for similar models (examples: Marantz SQ modules A&B, JVC 4dd5 and 4dd10) etc.

Some of that informations are already present here but are scattered thru the entire forum; a chart may be useful for newbies.

 

[Decoder Man]

I agree. It becomes tedious searching through all the threads.

 

[Cai Campbell]

So... who's going to put together the chart?

[sound of crickets chirping...]

 

[noffour]

OK, I'll take a shot at it, off top of my head.
Definitely a non-scientific list here, opinions vary, yada, yada, yada, ...

SQ
1)Fosgate 101a - serial number AA best, then serial number A, then B
2)Audionics Space and Image Composer
3)Sony SQD-2020
4)Sony SQD-2070
5)Lafayette SQ-W
6)Marantz SQA-2B
7)Marantz SQA-2
8)Lafayette SQ-L
9)Marantz SQA-1
10)Sony SQA-100 (1000?) beginning of the 'SQ decoders to be avoided' list

QS
1)Sansui QSD-1000
2)Sansui QSD-1
3)Sansui QSD-2
4)Sansui DS-77 - no vario matrix
5)Sansui QS-1 - no vario matrix

CD-4
Marantz CD-400B
Marantz CD-400
Technics SH-400 - need special test record to set up correctly, unreliable
JVC 4DD-10
JVC 4DD-5
Technics SE-405 ?? - mine were very 'ticky' so could not enjoy the music

 

[bmoura]

OK, I'll take a shot at it, off top of my head.
Definitely a non-scientific list here, opinions vary, yada, yada, yada, ...

SQ
1)Fosgate 101a - serial number AA best, then serial number A, then B
2)Audionics Space and Image Composer
3)Sony SQD-2020
4)Sony SQD-2070
5)Lafayette SQ-W
6)Marantz SQA-2B
7)Marantz SQA-2
8)Lafayette SQ-L
9)Marantz SQA-1
10)Sony SQA-100 (1000?) beginning of the 'SQ decoders to be avoided' list

QS
1)Sansui QSD-1000
2)Sansui QSD-1
3)Sansui QSD-2
4)Sansui DS-77 - no vario matrix
5)Sansui QS-1 - no vario matrix

CD-4
Marantz CD-400B
Marantz CD-400
Technics SH-400 - need special test record to set up correctly, unreliable
JVC 4DD-10
JVC 4DD-5
Technics SE-405 ?? - mine were very 'ticky' so could not enjoy the music

For CD-4 playback, I'd say that the JVC CD4-50 demodulator tops all of the ones you have listed there for playback quality.

For SQ, I'd also list the Citation 7.0 which was the successor unit to the Fosgate decoders. It's arguably the # 1 on the SQ list.