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Is Cary 306 SACD PRO an upgrade over Reimyo DAP777

Friends,
I currently own a Reimyo DAP777 DAC paired with a modded TEAC VRDS 10 as transport. I was planning to upgrade the transport to a newer Philips CD Pro2M based one (I cannot afford to buy Reimyo Transport). Just around this time, I have an offer on the Cary 306 SACD Pro Solid State CDP. I do not have the option of auditioning it. I do like the Warm, Rich and slight laidback presentation of Reimyo. I typically prefer a mid-hall presentation with layers of detail and clean dynamics.
While Reimyo does that, it also demands a high quality transport and digital cable all the while. I would be happy to get back to one box solution. This Cary player seems like a good option but some reviewers have mention that it has a upfront energetic presentation which may not be liked by all. This statement worries me. Sometimes when a player tries to be too energetic, it normally does not allow you to relax. I am not sure what this player is like.

I suppose both the Reimyo and the Cary are well known players so I hope to get some comparison and feedback from fellow inmates here. If it is a side wise upgrade then I am not really interested to change my existing source. Please suggest.
pani

Showing 1 response by davetherave

davetherave
95 posts
 
This is tough to answer given all the ancillary gear involved. I have a DAP-777 (Mark I) fed by a Theta Jade transport. I listen exclusively thru headphones (Sony MDR-R10) fed by a Ray Samuels Raptor tube amp. Listening thru headphones in this setup is like looking through a microscope. I love the incredible detail, but there is no loss of perspective or musicality. (However, the Sony cans are partly responsible, in that they create a very 3-D soundstage.)

I have heard the Cary 306 Pro and had similar thoughts about going to a one-box player. I heard the 306 into a Cary Cad 300 sei into my Sony headphones. I thought the detail was still there, but the presentation was more laid-back than my home set-up; I didn't find the 306 to be forward or aggressive at all. Bear in mind that I think the Cary amp is pretty laid-back. Thus, my opening remark about about all the confounding variables in this equation.

Read all the reviews you can find on the Cary CDP. If you get a good deal, go for it, and evaluate yourself. You can always resell it if it's not your cup of tea. (A long-term audition is usually much more truthful than a quick A/B anyway, in my experience).

One last point: If SACD is important to you, of course that factors in. Good luck.
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