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Help a vinyl-phile with a digital upgrade

I find I listen to vinyl around 90% of the time. Not only do I prefer the sound of vinyl over digital, I love the whole experience of collecting records, looking at the album jackets, etc.

I still have about 500 cds that are neglected due partly to the fact that my digital front end just doesn't cut it anymore. I have a California Audio Lab DX-1 player that's over 10 years old. So I'm thinking of the following upgrades.

1. Use the DX-1 as a transport and get a DAC. The Bel Canto DAC2 sounds like it meets my sonic criteria and the Benchmark DAC seems like a no lose option with the money-back guarantee.

2. Replace the DX-1 with a new used cdp, possibly the Jolida 100 or the Cairn Fog.

Which option will provide the most significant improvement? Are there other options I should be considering for around a grand?

Thanks for any insights you can provide.

Regards,
Scott
scottz

Showing 1 response by shoe

shoe
204 posts
 

About a month ago I Sold my Jolida JD 100 after I bought a Cairn Fog with upsampler. Just last week I recieved a used Arcam FMJ CD 33.

Try to keep it short.

In my system the Cairn was better than the Jolida at capturing detail and timing. The Cairn also had sweeter highs and seemed smoother, easier to listen to than the Jolida.

The Arcam has a larger soundstage and more depth. Bolder bass lines and a more foward presentation than the Cairn. Also seems more detailed. Fantastic.

The Cairn however has sweeter highs, a better sence of timing and is even a bit smoother sounding. Very refined.. My wife likes it better than the Arcam.

Right now I can't make up my mind between the Cairn or the Arcam.

If you have speakers with agressive highs I would lean toward the Cairn because of its wonderful handling in this area , very sweet, smooth yet detailed.
If you need a little more bass impact want more depth and boldness and don't have an over agressive mid and treble ( or bad acoustics ) then maybe the Arcam is for you.

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