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question about "lower" priced CD players/DACs

I have a PS Audio D-Link III DAC fed from an old California Audio Labs Icon MK II CD player and I'm pretty happy with the sound. But seeing the reviews of and the popularity of the Oppo BDP-95 and the Audiolabs CD8200CD players, I find myself wondering (like most of us), "if I upgrade to the 'xyz' player will I get a lot better sound?".

I've seen reviews by American reviewers that claim both these units "punches several times above its class", "best player under $5000 (U.S.)", etc. but I honestly think that's a lot of hype and probably more than a little of the stuff that comes out of the back of horse :) .

So what do you all think? Are these two Cd players (or any CD players in this price range) truly standouts like the hype suggests, or are they all similarly capable and it comes down to preference in presentation rather than huge differences in sound quality?
timoteo

Showing 4 responses by timoteo

timoteo OP
21 posts
 
My CD player is close to 20 years old. I'm thinking about buying a new CD player to replace it. hadn't really given a lot of thought yet to using my old CD player as a transport into a new DAC because of the age of the CD player. Minorl, you and Marakanetz both recommend focusing on the DAC part of the equation.

How do I determine which DACs are not what you call "light weight"? I am on a budget, and things like $5000 DACs are not an option for me.
timoteo OP
21 posts
 
Rlwainwright, my speakers are Magneplanar MG-IIIa's - 3-way planar speakers with a ribbon tweeter. They have been completely rebuilt by Magnepan within the last year. The MG-IIIa is the grandfather of the Magneplanar MG3.7.

Replacing them with the latest, greatest MG3.7 would cost around $6000(!).

I like the Magneplanar sound a lot so plan to stick with them.
timoteo OP
21 posts
 
Loomisjohnson, you suggested I consider consider I'd get more significant improvement by changing other components.

My preamp and amp are vintage Adcom. The Adcom amp was supposed to be pretty decent at the time (certainly for the price), designed by Nelson Pass. The preamp was not designed by Pass and is said to be decent - not great, not terrible.

Do you think replacing this preamp/amp with something better would result in a bigger sound improvement than replacing the CD player/DAC I'm using? Minorl and Marakanetz seem to lean towards the focusing on the DAC, while you lean more towards focusing on other hardware.

I plan to keep the Magneplanar MG-IIIa speakers. I like the Magneplanar sound, and the newest Maggie, the MG3.7, is going to have a similar, but improved sound, but would cost me around $6k to buy!
timoteo OP
21 posts
 
Richardfinegold, I am stunned to hear that the DLIII is "aggressive and in your face" on your system!!!

With my Magneplanars, the DLIII seems quite mellow. I remember when I bought my Maggie's I listen to some nice Thiel speakers too. They impressed me at first, being lively, bright, and forward. After awhile though, they started to grate some and I kept having to turn down the volume. After listening to the Maggies for awhile I grew to really like their less aggressive sound. I remember liking the Vandersteens during my listening then too.
I assume that the Maggie's are a big reason for why I find the DLIII so nice in my system. My Adcom eqiuipment does not have a reputation for being laid back.

I always thought that what I'm hearing with my DLIII is how everyone heard. I had no idea it could sound aggressive and forward! It seems pretty relaxed in my system.

I don't understand your comment about getting a CD player with digital inputs. I understand why I would want digital outputs - so I could change DACs over the years, but what would digital inputs to the CD player allow me to do? For streaming music through the player's DAC perhaps?
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