For playing Redbook cd’s (pcm) I’d stay with the Naim CDX2 + XP5PS, (2 x PCM1704 + PMD200 hdcd) being proper multibit unless you can get an Accuphase DP75 which is 16 x PCM1702 multibit.
Cheers George
Cheers George
Accuphase DP75V: does it still hold its own ?
Hi, I have the chance of buying a (obviously preowned) Accuphase DP75V.
I now own a Naim CDX2 + XP5PS, which I really like; the reason why I'm thinking about this change is that I bought an Accu E360 int. amp and I'd like to have a 'mono-brand' set up; moreover, I'm downsizing the stereo (I came from pre+power amp separates, and wolud like to have the CDP in one single chassis as well), but my hope it's much more a physical downsizing than related than sound quality.
So, the questions are:
- would an Accu 75V better (or, at least, not be worse than) my CDX2 + XP5XS ?
- in general, does a 75V (15or so years old, I think) still hold its own, or should I go for a more recent CDP, maybe a recent Accu like DP500 ? (DP510 and higher ones in the line are out of my budget, even used: Accus are highly overpriced here in Italy, compared to Japan retail price).
SACD is not relevant (I guess I own 10 SACD's or so, over 1500 digital titles), DAC is only secondarily relevant (I'm not going "liquid" at the moment).
all comments are welcome, though in particular those about 75V vs CDX2 or 75V vs. recent Accu CDP's.
thanks, ciao
daniele
I now own a Naim CDX2 + XP5PS, which I really like; the reason why I'm thinking about this change is that I bought an Accu E360 int. amp and I'd like to have a 'mono-brand' set up; moreover, I'm downsizing the stereo (I came from pre+power amp separates, and wolud like to have the CDP in one single chassis as well), but my hope it's much more a physical downsizing than related than sound quality.
So, the questions are:
- would an Accu 75V better (or, at least, not be worse than) my CDX2 + XP5XS ?
- in general, does a 75V (15or so years old, I think) still hold its own, or should I go for a more recent CDP, maybe a recent Accu like DP500 ? (DP510 and higher ones in the line are out of my budget, even used: Accus are highly overpriced here in Italy, compared to Japan retail price).
SACD is not relevant (I guess I own 10 SACD's or so, over 1500 digital titles), DAC is only secondarily relevant (I'm not going "liquid" at the moment).
all comments are welcome, though in particular those about 75V vs CDX2 or 75V vs. recent Accu CDP's.
thanks, ciao
daniele
31 responses Add your response
With just playing pcm Redbook cd's 16/44 or 24/96 which both will do, I would have to say yes the odds are in favour for the DP75, used prices also indicate this in Japan where there are many of both. And I would say even the DP75 could be hard pressed to better your Naim CDX2 + XP5PS, as it being multibit as well, it also has the advantage of having the better filter chip the PDM200, this chip can also do HDCD cd's which is another step up again. Cheers George |
Lasers: DP-65v Sony KSS-272A very hard to get new DP-55 Sony KSS-240A still cheap $20 but getting hard to get new DP-55V Sony Kss240A " " " DP-65 Sony KSS-272A very hard to get Naim CDX-2 Philips VAM1250 easy to get new $20 -$30 ebay Once again stay with the Naim. If you really have itchy feet to change to another CD player Then go with a Naim CD555/PS555 or a Linn CD12 mkII, or a Mark Levinson No39 Cheers George |
Thanks, George.Never compared them, but one is Multibit (DP75) and the other is Delta Sigma (DP75V) With all players I've compared between the two with, it's the Multibit I prefer for doing RedBook cd (pcm) with, it's got a jump factor that to me the Delta Sigma can't equal. Delta Sigma to me is sweet enough, but tends to put me to sleep, doesn't excite like Mulitbit. As for the CDX-2 it's Multibit, so are the other three I mentioned (Naim CD555/PS555 or a Linn CD12 mkII, or a Mark Levinson No39) Cheers George |
Then as I hinted stay with your CDX2 + XP5XS Maybe this will convince you Daniel what’s best for PCM Redbook CD replay, from MoJo Music. And why now there is a big swing back to R2R Multibit, even if it has to be done discrete, because the chip manufacturers find it too expensive to make, compared to a Delta Sigma chip they are a 10th of the price to manufacture as there is no laser trimming of the R2R ladder resistor network, because there is none. "When a PCM file is played on a DSD/Delta Sigma or Bit Stream converter, the DAC chip has to convert the PCM to DSD in real time. This is one of the major reasons people claim DSD sounds better than PCM, when in fact, it is just that the chip in most modern BitsStream/Single-Bit/Delta Sigma DACs do a poor job of decoding PCM." Cheers George |
thanks, George, very interesting. what surprises me a bit (or a multibit :-D) is that I've read tens of comments on DP75 vs DP75V and the vast majority (if not the totality) of them, based on listening, was: DP75V is a neat step forward, it is the one to go for, forget about DP75. OK, common opinion is not a proof, but it may be a clue. so I wonder: is it all down to the chips ? |
DP75V is a neat step forwardI believe that could stem from it's ability to be able to decode sacd which is dsd without the flag, but for Redbook, if that's what you want, then the 75 is the way to go, as Mojo music implies 75v would be "a neat step backwards" for Redbook. But like I believe stick with the Naim, as if you ever need a laser (as I've shown you above) for the Accuphase you could end up with an expensive door stop. Cheers George |
DP75V dose not read SACDIt’s dac input will of the 75V if you have a transport that gives a SACD digital stream, and because of this it should do dsd as well. Certain model Playstation can give out SACD and the Stereophile review of the 75V says Accuphase transport can as well, I believe it was the DP-100, good luck finding one, and it uses the Sony KHS-180A laser Cheers George |
Yes, but you need an aftermarket optional board on the DP75v DAC to decode DSD, joining a DP100 transport indeed. but the stock DP75v per se can't decode DSD. I'm not sure that so many people bought that optional board and a DP100 to use it as a SACD player; guess they would buy a DP85 instead. my humble guess is comments about DP75v are about redbook. unfortunately, looks like all those people hadn't read Mojo nor Stereophile. ;-) |
I’m not sure that so many people bought that optional boardI would say if the new buyers had the deep pockets to buy one new, they would have got the board to do sacd with also. But watch if your thinking about the transport for that laser with the DP100 only one new one for $$$ you can see two lasers in it one for CD and the other for sacd. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/original-Sony-KHS-180-180A-18-laser-lens-pick-up-new-Sony-SACD-Accuphase-Classe-/252620461890?hash=item3ad15a5742:g:zPUAAMXQLw1RzIm6 Cheer George |
I don't understand why your so keen to get out of the CDX2 + XP5XS DP85 Vintage 2002 AD1853 "Delta Sigma" Laser KHM230AAA cheap build quality compared to all the others. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Used-Good-Original-Sony-KHM-230AAA-Laser-Head-E-RP-/181901895771?hash=item2a5a32a85b:g:iosAAOSwmUdUYc6g Cheers George |
well, I'm not so keen about it; it's just a will of: - put two chassis into 1; - investigate the mono-brand synergy, if any; - curiosity :-) ...oh, and yes: aesthetics: if I don't go for an Accu CDP, I may go for a Naim Supernait to have more visual harmony in my living room :-D though I know that if I take a SN, I will be very soon desiring a HiCap, so I'll put the single chassis of my Accu int into 2 (or more) Naim... just the opposite direction I'm trying to go to |
Daniele, If you like single chassis and aesthetics are important I suggest to look at Marantz SA-1 or SA7S1. Accuphase is dull and boring in comparison. I`ve had a lots of different Accuphase plus many other expensive players. Marantz top reference players are pretty nice step above sonically. Just my 2¢ |
You`re welcome Daniele! I agree that lower Marantz models are nothing special but these top players are absolutely from another world. Anyway if you`re going to buy Accuphase then I clearly suggest to pick DP75 over 75V and DP67 over DP500 or 510. The newer Accuphase models are not always better sounding than older ones. Good luck! |
well, jafant, in the end (or at least at the moment) I decided to give up. though the vast majority of those who listened to all the quoted CDPs (I may say: everybody but georgehifi, who did not listen to them, actually) told me the DP75V is the best integrated redbook player ever by Accuphase (except from the recent DP700-720), nevertheless same people warned me to be careful due to its age and difficulty to find the discontinued Sony transport in case of trouble, and adviced me to buy the spare part, if I can find one, together with the player. I asked the italian official distributor and they told me they still had some stock spare part (how many ? for how long ?) priced at 750€ -guess it's 850-900$ or so, I don't know. and the player itself is not cheap as well; don't know if it still holds its own, but sure holds a quite high price. a little bit too much for me... gotta think it over. |