What DAC are you playing your files stored on the Mac into? In my estimation (and experience) once you have your collection ripped to computer and a convenient way to manage your music collection from an iDevice AND soundquality is at par with what you are getting from CD, you will never go back to CD again. For this reason alone I would never upgrade my CD player. A more promising avenue would be to get a very good USB DAC, which would make the CD player obsolute. Most of these DAC will also have a good S/PDIF input so you could demote your CD player to transport and get much better performance from traditional CD as well.
Changing Digital Technology
I have a bit of a dilemma. I could spend $1,700 - $2,700 to upgrade my BAT VK-D5SE CD player or move toward digital technologies to accommodate SACD’s and other forms of evolving digital music. An upgrade would limit me to CD’s only. From reading the Audiogon forums, it appears there is, and will be, a whole lot more out there than CD’s. One of the threads suggested focusing on DAC technology that will accommodate various kinds of streaming digital via USB, coax, etc. If I did not obtain a SACD/CD player with that capability, I assume I would be running my BAT through it? I do have all of my CD’s on my Mac Book Pro as Apple lossless. I do not relish the idea of spending a lot of money on players that might be obsolete in five years.
I am into analog and have BAT tube monoblocks and preamp with a pair of Wilson Sophia’s. I love the tube sound and will be relying on my preamp to accommodate digital technologies.
I would appreciate advice on how to address the new technologies and possible equipment options. I think the future for digital is brigh. How does a person plan for the changes?
I am into analog and have BAT tube monoblocks and preamp with a pair of Wilson Sophia’s. I love the tube sound and will be relying on my preamp to accommodate digital technologies.
I would appreciate advice on how to address the new technologies and possible equipment options. I think the future for digital is brigh. How does a person plan for the changes?