I currently own a Cary 302/600 and would like to better the sound while maintaining the ability to use as a dac fir streaming.
i curios on luxman d06U, d03x models call it new vs old.
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Well I have a sonic frontier dac and transport three with an out board power supply it is one of the best five cd playback systems I have ever heard most of that group of five systems have the ultra analog chip set in them. They all retailer for over 20 k in the day. One level down are top of the line play back systems that have 63k dac sets in th I have both a wadia and a krell with those dac chips and I used to own a ead with those dac chips. They are all in the 10k at retail price range back in the day.any will not agree with me but I have not found any streamer that comes close in sound quality. It may be the streamer I have heard or it may be the cheaper play back systems that others are comparing to streaming or partly both. |
Where does it stop? That is totally up to the consumer. We all have our individual budget ceilings and good choices exist at multiple price points. Cambridge and Audiolab represent very good value options. However @facten is exactly right, much better is available among CD transports for a higher cost. In my opinion the Jay’s Audio CD transports and the Pro-Ject RS2T mentioned above also represent excellent value at their higher cost given the increased sound quality they are capable of. There’s something for everyone. Charles |
@mbmi You're not going to get $10K+ SQ with a $600 transport. Had a Cambridge CXC ,which is in the same playing field as the Audiolab , as the source for either a Mojo Audio EVO or a Modwright Elysee pretty decent sound. Switched to a SimAudio 260DT transport $2800 and a whole different level of SQ. Read the Forums on the Project & Jay's Audio Transports - significant improvements in SQ delivered vs these lower entry transports. |
The DAC is 80% of the SQ......so get a Denafrips Ares2 for $800 and the Audiolab 6000CDT transport only $600 and for $1400 you’ve got the SQ of a much more expensive all in one unit.....If you want an even better value in SQ....do the Audiolab transport with the Audio Mirror Toubadour IV SE from Vlad for $3500 and now your playing with the Big Boys + 10K |
Arthur1954, I have had zero issues with the slot loader on the Audiolab. I like it much better than any tray loader I've owned, takes discs smoothly, isn't noisy, and reads discs pretty quickly.....all good there I was initially impressed when I found that the slot loader mech is the exact same one they use in the flagship 8300CD player....but the sound is where the 6000CDT excels.....but use nice cables on the DIG out to your DAC |
@soix vthokie83, @kcroyals
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You mean Audio Research Reference CD8 ? If yes… I have read reviews of many earlier versions of Audio Research Reference CD / DACs and own a Reference CD9SE… I would definitely buy one. They have shown a wonderful natural, musical sound increasing the detail with each generation. I have owned a number of CD / DACs… Sonic Frontiers, Sim Moon 650D + 820 power supply ($18K) and the ARC CD9SE bested them by a large margin… simply as a DAC it bested a Berkeley Alpha Reference 3 ($22K). So, while my data points strike all around your question… I think they still point to a yes… ARC Ref CD8 being a great choice. |
I’d recommend separate DAC and a transport. If you ever feel the need to upgrade either, easy enough. You didn’t mention budget, but the Audiolab 6000CDT is a great transport, and a helluva deal at $600. I prefer R2R ladder DACs, as Soix suggested there are great units for all prices from Denafrips, Musician, Holo Audio, Gustard……I prefer the Denafrips and Holo Audio DACs |
Luxman "u" is the previous generation,in the 8, 6, and 5 versions. "x" is the current generation. Currently only the 10 and the 3. Surprised to find the "u"'s still listed on the Luxman website. They will be discontinued. I gather that the intention is eventually to add a third "x" in the middle--5, 6, or 7, don't know. |
I’ll throw my REGA ISIS VALVE cdp/ USB DAC into the mix as a true contender and no pretender as a 55 lb heavyweight with a pair of XLR jacks as well of RCAs in the back panel with fully balanced, differential circuitry throughout. it has its own USB input direct to its high-end DAC and a special future-proofing bonus: “ … Those worried about the viability of the CD format and getting your player serviced in the future, fear not. Inside the owner’s manual, there is a signature from the technician that assembled your ISIS, another tech that QC’d the electrical and mechanical systems and the tech that tested and archived not one, but two spare laser units. I think it’s safe to say that the ISIS will last longer than most of its owners and I appreciate this attention to detail, with CD transport mechanisms getting scarcer all the time…” https://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-rega-isis-cd-player-2/ https://6moons.com/audioreviews/rega2/1.html
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@aolmrd1241 Thanks for that info. I suspect it might affect soundstage more than anything. Hopefully will get to find out some day! |
tomcarr... Yes, I have used the phase invert. At times it does seem to yield some differences to the sound...maybe a wee bit better performance in the low end and sometimes a wee bit better in the mids and highs but not a really consistent thing to my ears. I would have to say mostly it’s a recording dependent condition. Since there is no remote feature for phase reversal it’s harder to get a firm grasp on it... |
@aolmrd1241 I am not surprised about how good it sounds. I'm glad that is your experience! Have you tried the Invert Phase button? Very curious about that feature... |
I would definitely go with a great CD transport with a strong power supply out to the best DAC you can afford. I owned a Cary Audio CD306SACD Pro. Fantastic sounding CD player but a bit problematic with the drawer. As equipment got better through the years it seemed a bit hard and dry sounding compared to new DAC’s, etc as years passed. When it got to where my server and DAC completely outperformed it I finally sold it. Now I just rip my CD’s to the drive and stream to the DAC. The 12V PC server uses JRiver with fidlizer with Windows. Also using the iFi Micro iUSB3.0 USB Audio Power Supply with an external USB HD plugged into it also. The sound is so much better from the WAV file then playing the straight CD. And JRiver with JRemote on my phone makes it so relaxing to just load up a group of songs or whole albums on the server and just relax and listen. |
@grinnell If you haven’t already, why not do a free trial of Qobuz? Great way to discover worlds of new music, and a lot of it is in hi-res. FWIW. |
@aolmrd1241 Steve Guttenberg said the D-10X was the best sounding CDP he's heard. |
@mikempls - That was a super interesting piece of kit. Built in PC board to do some pretty advanced stuff. Interestingly, the Mytek Empire DACs seem to take this idea to an extreme, with dual Intel i7 motherboards. No idea if it sounds good but if you want a DAC with large amounts of compute power that's a good option. |
I’ve got a Parasound Halo CD1 which I’ve found to be a very sweet piece of equipment. Crystal clear, great dynamics — both highs and lows. It only plays redbook CDs (no SACD, etc.) but I use my Oppo for those.
Parasound doesn’t make the CD1 any longer but if you can find a used one, I’d encourage you to check it out. |
I find streaming a less satisfying experience. It’s become a screening session for music I’d like to own and less about simply enjoying the session. It also keeps a device in my hands inviting distraction. Drop a CD in the deck or a record on the platter, sit down and listen to music. Streaming doesn’t do that for me. |
+1 @trebor33
I actually prefer the DAC transport route, but I have the Bryston DAC3, which is the DAC stage of the CDP, and it sounds great. I'm not sure that the Bryston CDP has digital inputs. If it does then I'd buy it for sure as it can be used for other digital sources.
OP, you shouldn't be badgered into not getting a CDP if that is what you want. It's still a great way to enjoy a large CD collection
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My Ayon CD5s sounds better than records and I play my Bluesound Node through it for that tube warmth. Streaming is great for auditioning new music, but at least for me having the tangible article in my hand with pictures of the artists, liner notes etc enhances my listening experience. Also I know I am going to like nearly everything from each CD since I picked them myself. |
i have kept three cd/sacd players (been through well over a dozen serious ones over the years) -- 2 modwrights, one modded sony the sony is a warren gregoire vsei-modded level 5 sony scd-777-es the modwrights are dan wright’s marantz sa 8005 and sony xa5400es - both with dan’s tube rectified power supply and 5687 tube output stage organic yet precise sounding unts, with tonal density, timbral accuracy, excellent impact and terrific soundstaging gone are units from teac/esoteric, pioneer elite, meridian, cal audio labs, levinson/proceed, audio research, wadia, krell, quad and roksan |
