5+ years old $5k player vs. current $2k player

Jeffga and Dtc I hear you both. Although I can't comment so much on older units I can equate this to some of the newer ones I have listened to lately including the Oppo 95, W4S2 and MHDT Havana with a Eastern Electric Minimax DAC Plus on the way. Both the Oppo and Wired for Sound are more similar than different but both are very good and you have to look at these in the context of their price and the ESS Saber 9018 chip they both use which provides the extra detail that is quite notable compared to the Havana. The NOS Havana DOES have the richness, timbre and musical involvement than either the W4S or Oppo but LACKS the detail and frequency extension. My preference for any of the three is dependent on the music. The SACD presentation of the Oppo is astounding for orchestral and piano music at this price point along with everything else it offers and I would say it is an amazing value HOWEVER it does sound somewhat lean with small ensemble and vocal music which I am currently trying to ameliorate with cabling and tweeking with varying success. BTW, it is still breaking in. The reason I ordered the Eastern Electric, which also uses the 9018 chip is that it has both the tube and op-amp output with separate power supplies. The S/N ratio has been improved dramatically which should bring its performance up a notch or two, I haven't heard the original but it seems to be widely regarded at the lower end of the spectrum. I'm hoping the plus will provide the richness of the Havana, another great bargain in my estimation, and the resolution and frequency extension of the others = "musicality", we shall see. What I do find exciting is that low cost digital is closing the gap and I expect within a very short time this will become less an issue.

Thanks for the info Charles1dad. Have you listened to the Metrum or is your interest based on the reviews or what you might have heard through the grapevine? It sounds quite interesting.

Please keep us posted Charles1dad, I am interested in your impressions. At these price points and the lack of ability to audition all the inexpensive DACs it seems there is little recourse than going the "buy and listen" route.

One thing that all these dac's should have but don't is a phase inversion option. It is also a reason I was attracted to the Minidac Plus. The W4S 2 has this as well.

Hi Lewinskih

I have been doing a bit of research on this DAC. Yesterday I e-mailed Cees Ruijtenberg the designer. Lead time is 8-10 weeks. The review in 6 moons conveys a real sense of the characteristics of this DAC which in many ways seems similar to the Havana, reading between the lines. I do expect however that it may be a bit more resolving but I'm not sure of Sarajan's experience with NOS dacs as the unfatiguing nature of this 16-24 bit approach without the upsampling/oversampling seems intrinsic. The problem with the Oppo and W4S is precisely the fact that at times they DO bring attention to what they ARE and NOT doing rather than keeping me relaxed and simply enjoying the music as the Havana is so completely able to do. There is a softer texture without leading edges becoming overemphasised yet it IS resolving, a simple design approach, less is more. The differences at times are subtle but over time they affect the overall listening experience and enjoyment factor. Having said that, I do recognize the things that the ESS Saber chip is bringing to the table, the ambient information and low level detail in particular and it sure would be nice to find a budget product that does both which it seems the Metrum might be the one. Preferences for any of these budget DACs/CD players are going to be contingent on system balance and listening preferences more than any one being a standout performer across the board at this price point. I am going to hold back a bit on the Metrum until I get further impressions from other opinions I respect including Charles1dad but I sure am tempted! I am hoping the Eastern Electric, expected this coming week, will fill in the gap and maybe even "blow me away". In the meantime I am quite happy with the Havana as it is the first digital device I have ever owned that I can listen to and relax in the same manner as vinyl yet clearly recognizing the differences.