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Cary 303-100 versus a modded 333ES

I've posted this over at the Hi-Rez forum @AA to garnish their opinions but the crowd here (IMHO) tends to be less concerned with accuracy at all costs and more concerned with the musicallity of digital playback so here goes in short form...

I have 2 options in front of me:

#1 - Have my 333ES modded which will retain sacd (and apparently better it) and reportedly improve redbook "substantially" so I can flog the ART DI/IO dac I run with it. Tend to find 5 redbook cds I want for every 1 sacd even though there are more sacd discs in the works. Multi-channel is no concern. Net cost around $550

#2 - Flog the ART and the 333ES (both at a big loss) and get a demo Cary 303-100 (reported to be very musical). Net cost (with fingers crossed) should come in around $1000 (top of my budget)

I am flying blind here as I have no idea how a modded 333ES will sound without having it done and I can't audition the Cary prior to purchase.

Current system is 333ES/ART > Rogue 66 > Bryston 4B-ST > Maggie 1.5 so its not the most resolving gear out there.

All comments/recommendations greatly appreciated.
rgd

Showing 1 response by abecollins

abecollins
219 posts
 
There's no doubt that the Cary 303 is a very good player and now that the 303/200 is out, you should be able to find a used 303/100 at a reasonable price (since NEW 303/200's can be had for less than $2K discounted).

Just my opinion but... I doubt you will ever recover your investment in modifying gear vs. a popular piece of unmodified gear (like a used Cary 303 or similar popular item).

Just my opinion (again): If SACD is *that* good, a cheap SACD player should sound pretty decent playing SACD media. With SACD players plumeting in price, I would opt for a high quality redbook only player and get a cheap to modest SACD player if you still need to play SACD media. That is my strategy anyway... Will wait a bit longer before buying my cheapo SACD unit. In the mean time I'm enjoying my Cary 306/200 with my huge redbook CD collection.
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