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Exilbris...why not consider the Zanden transport when u have the DAC? I thought there was supposed a large degree of synergy when using the IS2 connectivity? |
Generally agree with the categories. Another key parameter is then if so should the rest of system designed to accentuate or counterbalance such sonic character? I guess it depends on the extremity of the character in the first place but worthwhile when considering. For example for category 1, should one try to aim for tubes in the amplification chain? For category 2 should one aim for somewhat more analytical speakers? |
Teejay: I was not referring what was the best DAC at all: but merely a question: that whether in your own exp whether one should accentuate the DAC sound color, if you will, with a speaker of similiar ilk or go the other way and try to counter-balance? Obviously depends on the degree from which the particular unit diverges from the golden mean, so to speak. I have been trying to think about this for awhile and I know the best way is to audition in my home, but still would like to save some time so seeking your learned opinion. |
thanks....I was thinking perhaps getting a second player for redbook, category #2 ilk, but at this juncture its an excess....going to first experiment with amps.....but perhaps one day....do need SACD and overall like Meitner on redbook too. (though perhaps again a player like Reiymo may just add that incy bit of warmth that may be lacking) |
Jkalman...there is no diff in sound quality,,The only difference is that DAC6 is multi channel while DCC2 is 2 channel only and has a built in pre-amp is you want to use it. |
Hi guys...set up a new thread if you are interested. Which players make poorly recorded redbook CDs sound the best? |
I am not a tech freak but I do find it somewhat ironical for those players that convert DSD signals back to PCM for SACDs...ummm then why SACDs in the first place? Kind of destroys the purpose, no? AA, Esoteric gear all do that...Meitner, dCS don't. |
By the way...SONY will be soon coming out with a Qualia version of a SACD/CD player |
Personally I am too interested in a hard drive source in addition, not as a replacement to my Meitner front end. Its less audio quaility driven but rather motivated by convenience in terms of data storage and flexibility such playlists. Having said that it has taken quite a long time for regular redbook technology to get to where it is now....as such I think its best to wait for awhile to see if we get more competition from the mfrs in this area then figure things out. |
Ignorant Question: using the Stealth btwn your CDSD and DCC2...by doing so, thus replacing the ST glass cable, can u still slave the transport to the DCC2? when playing redbook...CDSD "upconverts" PCM to DSD which is sent to the DCC2 or DAC6, still possible? |
Exlibris: sorry to lose you from SACD! personally I love the format though titles....ah well. One thing though on Meitner. Not sure if u have done so but at least in my exp CSDC is whole league above the midofied Philips transport and has real synergy w/ the DCC2. Using the Stealth btwn the two I think is doable but not sure if it would carry the DSD signal directly but also very importantly may lose the ability to slave transport to the DCC2 which I beleive blocks jitter but whatever the case sounds a WHOLE lot better than not doing so. Of course I have no idea who CDSD + DCC2 via optical glass link would compare on redbook CDs to some other combos you are investigating using Stealth as the link...However on its won redbook is very very good in this sort of set up: IMO perfer to dcS but also other redbook only set ups I have auditioned ...the thing I never tried are the Stealth cables which all of you guys luv. Anyway good luck on your search. For transports...I would recommend trying Esoteric and Metronome as well....the level of mechanical engineering appears to be outstanding to me, another notch above most others... |
Brainmir...u are correct: one cannot upconvert PCM to DSD in the AES/EBU mode....with the Meitner gear that is. Exlibris...once u get the CDSD make sure u slave the CDSD to DCC2 as it makes a huge difference. Manual explains how to do this...good luck. |
Brainmir/Exibris...yes indeed: hope to hear feedback post your comparisons RBCD via Meitner using various connections. |
Looks like u gonna have lot of fun Brainmir! |
Congrats, Exlibris. Just as some of us expected...while I can't really comment on some of the digital front ends that are competing with Meitner, the impact from the modified Phillips to CDSD and using the ST glass is really profound as u have found out. I also love the fact that DCC2 can act as pretty darn good pre-amp but also allows me to investigate introducing a sep pre-amp (tubes?) if I wish....when considered in that vein the CDSD+DCC2 is very comeptitive price wise as well. And thanks on the feedback on ST glass vs Stealth on Meitner...having never exposed to Stealth that feedback is very valuable to me. Given how good some of the feedback/reviews have been on Stealth or other Cerious digital connects, it still remains in the back of my mind if I were to add a second digital source (music server?) and connect it to the DCC2 but for CDSD ST Glass is the way to go, indeed. I am waiting for a host of high end servers to come to the market as I have become somewhat addicted to the functionalist of playlists via usage of the IPOD when traveling which I do a LOT. FYI, I think there will be quite a few coming over the next 2 yrs or so and the prices will surely drop and new technology introduced especially as Intel ramps up its intro of dual core CPUs...obviously can't beat CDSD-DCC2 but just for when I want to listen to playlists etc... |
Sychedli...thats an incredible collection of players you own! Care to introduce us to the rest of your system(s)? Also given you have extensive exp with EMM, dcS, Zanden and now AOL modded Esoteric, did you find any system synergies worth noting? It escapes my recollection but I saw someone commenting that for example EMM and Audio Rsch Ref 3 was synergistic together...though he didn't say as much, I suspect it is due to both excel at sound staging and catpuring decay. Any comments or pointers? |
Do you guys know about the new Signature version of EMM gear? I have the "old, regular" CDSD/DCC2 and know one can upgrade to the "e' versions....but just saw on positive feedback David Robinson mini-reviewing a new eSignature" version....he doesn't go into detail what is actually chged that much but praises the sound quality diff. I contacted my sales rep in HK, as I already was planning to upgrade to e and asked him about it but he didn't know: he is gonna check w/ Ed and come back to me: not sure you can upgrade or whether one actually has to buy.... |
Kops...EMM Labs...the e version is an upgrade over the previous "standard"...but there is something new out called the Signature I believe. Jtinn, where are you? |
I got my EMM gear updated to the Signature e version....the biggest difference seems to me is when playing redbook CDs...more natural than b4 with more solidity |
I think Stereotimes has review of the Maestro |
Fair enough. Though I only listed to digital, a well set up state of the art LP system does sound "better" to my ears, I acknowledge. The thing for me that leads to digital is primarily driven by functionality (can downlaod to PC for IPOD or wireless distribution to other rooms), storage (I have about 3000 CDs....if they were LPs..!)...etc. So I go for the best digital to my personal preferences which has been Meitner in my limited experience. I think there are quite a few like me in this regard. These reasons are also why I am quite curious with Nova Physics Memory player which is getting some hype...have no idea and probably will not available here where I live to audition for at least a year. A shame. |
Bruce: try the new EMM Labs one box player |
Has anyone tried Chord's DAC 64?
If one is using the DAC mainly to improve a music server, does the clocking mechanism gain in importance?
I have recently purchased the Sooloss music server system. Its sooooo much fun, and really allows you to re-discover your entire collection all over. Just amazing. Highly recommended. However cannot help but think that using an external DAC improve sound quality substantially (currently hooked up to a McIntosh pre-pro in a home theatre set up in the living room). The Chord DAC64 on paper is interesting to me given the buffer stage, small size and cost wide not as burdensome as some of he top tier DACs (I do use the Meitner DCC2 in another system in a diff 2 channel dedicated room which I love especially re SACDs). I also own the Benchmark DAC but that;s for my desktop set up where I use it for late night listening when I need to work (connected to my PC and AKG 701s). While quite good, not in the same class and looking for something better for the music server.
Any thoughts? Or other ideas? |
Brainmir,,,,have u tried the estoeric D-05? I beleive its noch below the D-o3 but so is its price. Referring to back to my question, I am trying to come up with a high quality but somewhat price reasonable DAC (about USD10,000 or below?) solution to improve the sooloos music server system in one my rooms which is just super fantastic for interactivey functionality and discovering long lost loves in my 3000 CD library. Chord DAC 64 is one possible me thinks as is Accustic Arts (perhaps the Tube DAC may be a bit over my self imposed budget not sure but the DAC4 shld be in the territory...and as I understand it so should Esoteric's D-05...hence the question....also like the idea re its ability to serve as master clock for an external source). |
Thanks...I suspected the Esoteric was really designed with its transport in mind. |
Tboooe...just for comparison, how does the server-D5 vs using the P5? |
Thanks, Tbooe, Saw u also in the music server thread....I have Sooloos with 2 terabytes so everything in lossless FLAC. Will investigate the D5. Can u apply the various filters via the DAC or is this only when u use a transport, I do gave the DV-60 for home theatre and definitely the filters do make a difference IMO. Upconverting to DSD I guess is a no go though (for the music server that is). |
Personally never had an issue bass nor PRAT w/ EMM. |
