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Preferred Node 2i and Ayre CDP connections to Soekris 2541 DAC?

Old timer 2 channel guy who just today took delivery of a Soekris 2541 DAC, and I'm about to order a Node 2i for my first foray into the world of streaming.  I currently run an Ayre CDP via XLRs into my Pathos Logos integrated amp. I now plan on running the Soekris into the amp via XLRs. 

The Ayre CDP was rated very highly in it's day, but since it's now 15 years old, I assume I'd want to run that through the Soekris unit, as well as the Node.  My question/s is what do you recommend I run for connections from the Node and the Ayre CDP into the DAC?   Soekris has TOS, RCA, BNC, AES, and of course USB 'ins'. Since I have to purchase a new cable or two anyway, which connections would you suggest I use.  Ayre has XLR and RCA outs.  I've been away from the hobby for about a dozen years so explain your thoughts to me on the connections like I was a 4 year old. 
northwoods_maine
valinar
471 posts
 
The Node 2i has both a Toslink and S/PDIF RCA output.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
If your Ayre CDP is an older model definitely try using it as a transport. Also, due to age it may not have AES digital out.
Since your DAC has both S/PDIF RCA and BNC, you can use them for Node and CD (with a 75ohm BNC adapter).


northwoods_maine OP
70 posts
 
@lowrider57  Yes, DAC has separate RCA and BNC. Both are S/PDIP and are 75 ohm coax.  My hope/plan is to stop buying CDs and do mostly all Tidal or Qobuz, but I do have some silver discs that are obscure blues bands or smaller market bands that can't be found on the national services and I want to continue to play them but run the Ayre CDP through the DAC.  I need to pull it out of the rack and confirm, but from memory I think the Ayre CDP only has XLR and RCA outs (no AES). 

I understand running the Node from "Coax out" out to "RCA in" on DAC.  I'm confused about the CD to DAC connection.  Should that be RCA out to BNC in? So how does a left and right RCA out go into the single BNC?  Never owned any piece of equipment that had single RCA or BNC before so I'm a bit lost.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
XLR and coax out on your CDP are analogue. Take a look and see if there is a digital output.

If not, then that’s a really old CD player. Only a digital output can feed a Dac. So,  you can only run the analogue outputs to a preamp.

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,607 posts
 
northwoods_maine

I,too, enjoy an AYRE DX-5 universal spinner. It is 10 years old, still superb in sound quality. Keep your Ayre and enjoy the Music.

Happy Listening!


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