2. digital
  3. 1236640029

A new CDP after my Rega Apollo or a new DAC?

After a year plus with my Rega Apollo I'm ready to make a modest upgrade to a CDP in the $1500 to $2000 range. New or used. My system is pretty modest so I'm not sure if this price range will result in a real change. Options that I've considered include the Rega Apollo SE, Raysonic 128, Cayin CD-50T and Cambridge Azur 840. I should be able to audition these players shortly but only one or two in my system.

The rest of my current system consists of a Cayin 100T tube amp and Salk HT-1 monitors. I also have a Boulder modded Duet feeding into a Benchmark DAC. I wonder if my $$ is better spent getting a different DAC as the Benchmark sounds a little harsh to my ears after awhile. There are too many options in this price range and my head starts to hurt trying to figure out what might be right.Van alstine? TADAC? Music Hall?

Ultimately it seems like I might have to buy used gear to see if I like it and sell it off if I don't.

Although I listen mostly to jazz I don't want an overly warm or romantic sound. Suggestions?
mightyburner

Showing 1 response by ihcho

ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 

the Apollo bests players I have heard that cost five times it's price.
I am not quite sure. One of my good friends has Apollo. His system is MC275, PrimaLuna Prolog 3, Apollo, and Klipsch LaScala and Valodyne subwoofer. Mine is Linn AV5105, Rogue Magnum 99, NAD C541i, and Tyler Taylo 7U. We tried Apollo and C541i in both systems. The only difference we both could recognize was that a little bit warmth on Apollo, but no audible difference on base, treble, mid, sound stage, detail, dynamics, ... on either system.

Anyway, he was rather disappointed even though he preferred warm sound of Apollo on his LaScala. On my system I preferred C541i.
More to discover