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Marantz CD6006 + DAC vs Arcam CDS50 for best redbook cd sonics?

Hi all,
I listen mainly to my vast cd collection on a regular basis, and rarely to SACD and DVD-Audio discs.
I own a Marantz CD6006 cd player, and an Oppo UDP-205 universal 4k disc player with an aftermarket Oppomod upgrade linear power supply.
I am mainly using a mainly balanced headphone system consisting of a Headamp GS-X Mini, Sennheiser HD 600, HD 650, and Hifiman HE-6 headphones.
While I like the sound of cds on my Marantz CD6006, I feel that they sound quite a bit better overall on my Oppo UDP-205 player.
Most of my cds sound alittle more detailed, spacious, deeper, more dynamic, and open on the Oppo.
The Marantz is slightly warmer, more closed in, and the soundstage sounds thinner than the Oppo.
I wish to either upgrade my Marantz with an aftermarket DAC such as a Topping D90SE, and use the Marantz as a transport and run the digital coax out to the DAC, or upgrade to a different cd player under $1500.00 such as an Arcam CDS50, etc., for redbook cd sonics that will meet or exceed the Oppo udp-205.
Which route would you recommend I try?
If you recommend using the Marantz as a transport, and an after market DAC, which DAC would you recommend?
If you recommend using a different dedicated cd player, over the Marantz + DAC, would you recommend the Arcam CDS50, or another unit for best cd sonics?
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
daltonlanny
8 responses Add your response
daltonlanny OP
301 posts
 
I tried using the Marantz as a transport and the Oppo udp-205 as a dac with the coax out on the Marantz.
Not so good.
The oppo still sounds better on cds by a good margin when used by itself, believe it or not.
But the oppo is modded with a oppomod linear power supply for the digital section, plus it was in pure audio mode through the analog stereo outs.
I guess I will just buy a better disc player than the Marantz for my bedroom headphone system.
daltonlanny OP
301 posts
 
Fuzztone, what do you personally recommend?
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 
That’s fine. What you are really looking for is best bang 4 bux. I skipped that range. 
Good luck.
daltonlanny OP
301 posts
 
Thanks for your replies.
No, I haven't tried marantz cd6006 as a transport and oppo udp-205 as a dac yet.
Fuzztone, my budget limit right now is $1,500.00.
Post removed 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 
Neither best. Keep trying.
mahler123
3,318 posts
 
You can also use the Oppo as a transport.  I use a 105 as a transport into a Bryston 3 DAC.   I play the DSD layer of SACD over HDMI into the Bryston HDMI.
As for the rest of your question, which is what DAC to pair with the transport, there are many threads here.  The first is your budget, which I gather is $1500.  I would be looking at Schiit, the Mytek Liberty.

Have you tried using the Marantz as a transport and the Oppo as a DAC?
tweak1
3,658 posts
 
If going the DAC route, make sure both have the I/Os you need to marry them
I
haven’t yet heard Audio GD, but many are raving about them

Underwood HiFi is selling them

hth
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