2. digital
  3. 185874-183416

Ruminations On CD Players

After multiple factory rebuilds, I'm ready to replace my twenty year old Arcam CD-73 CD player.  I've looked through lists of recommended CD players in the $2000 range, and have noticed that some are all-inclusive while others have separate transports and DACs.  Other than ease of replacement, what are the benefits of having the transport and DAC separate?  Any recommendations on CD players in this price range?  I only have music CDs so don't need anything that can do more than that.

 

Thanks,

John Cotner

New Ulm, MN

jrcotner

Showing 2 responses by akgwhiz

akgwhiz
196 posts
 

+1 mahler123 comments.   With a CDP you have to like the voicing of the DAC.  With separates you can either find the DAC to optimize your sonic preferences and or match your system.  There are tastes in DACs like Difference chip, R2R, tube buffer etc.  Can't match that with an all in one.  I'm running a Cambridge CXC transport and MHDT Orchid (R2R, tube single buffer) DAC. I can change the sound by swapping a single inexpensive 2C51 tube for $15 to $90 from warm, rounded to crisp and revealing with that tube.  I think MSRP for both is now around $2300.  I got an open box CXC for about $350.  Orchids are tougher to find used and new run about $1300.  And yes, a DAC will allow for future growth like a streamer.  

akgwhiz
196 posts
 

@mbmi ah, no.  Maybe that's a generational thing but I only search by artist then CD.  Hit play.   Listen.  If I like it I add it to my "virtual" collection.  It's like having a free pass to an infinite record store for less than the price of 1 CD per month.  FLAC quality and I can't tell difference from the disc with a transport and separate DAC.  

More to discover