Use a DAC.
In these two players I just bought, I have chosen which dual sets of built-in DAC's I want to try. That was the selection process.
Denon: Burr Brown
Integra: Wolfson
And, I want to hear the 'House Sound' of Denon or Integra in those respective years, That may be perceptibly different, and then, if so, Preferred?
i.e. "It's what you do with/to the bits that makes a difference".
"To say the difference is Quite Small is an Understatement"
"Famous Vintage DACs are Overhyped". "Everything is Overhyped".
"Demanding Audiophiles are Never Satisfied".
..................................
New/Used. I much prefer getting/keeping older stuff going. For everyone who thinks new is better, someone else swears by used.
Denon 2910 arrived, took the cover off, looks 1 minute old, not a speck of dust, everything pristine except the dent in the top which I could care less about. Drawer movement smooth.
Recognized SACD or CD automatically.
Immediately sounded Bass Heavy, I read the manual, prior owner had 'Bass Enhancer' ON. Found out how, did a factory reset, that problem gone,
1st impression, grabbed Tierney Sutton SACD out of the Sony, 2 favorite tracks, terrific, had to go to airport to pick up Donna, so no real listening or comparison yet. Has 'Pure Direct' like the Oppos, others, cuts out the video circuitry and display circuitry.
Takes a long time to load/read the index, then the fastest individual track selection ever, and no need to press play, just press 6, bingo it starts playing, I absolutely love that.
Listening for real commences this evening.
In these two players I just bought, I have chosen which dual sets of built-in DAC's I want to try. That was the selection process.
Denon: Burr Brown
Integra: Wolfson
And, I want to hear the 'House Sound' of Denon or Integra in those respective years, That may be perceptibly different, and then, if so, Preferred?
i.e. "It's what you do with/to the bits that makes a difference".
"To say the difference is Quite Small is an Understatement"
"Famous Vintage DACs are Overhyped". "Everything is Overhyped".
"Demanding Audiophiles are Never Satisfied".
..................................
New/Used. I much prefer getting/keeping older stuff going. For everyone who thinks new is better, someone else swears by used.
Denon 2910 arrived, took the cover off, looks 1 minute old, not a speck of dust, everything pristine except the dent in the top which I could care less about. Drawer movement smooth.
Recognized SACD or CD automatically.
Immediately sounded Bass Heavy, I read the manual, prior owner had 'Bass Enhancer' ON. Found out how, did a factory reset, that problem gone,
1st impression, grabbed Tierney Sutton SACD out of the Sony, 2 favorite tracks, terrific, had to go to airport to pick up Donna, so no real listening or comparison yet. Has 'Pure Direct' like the Oppos, others, cuts out the video circuitry and display circuitry.
Takes a long time to load/read the index, then the fastest individual track selection ever, and no need to press play, just press 6, bingo it starts playing, I absolutely love that.
Listening for real commences this evening.