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Stuck: 20-bit/96kHz or 24-bit/96kHz DAC?

I'm a new audiophile so I don't pretend to know all the issues with regard to formats, but here's the rub:

I want to get the best sounding *used* CD player I can afford. Some years ago, the CAL CL-20 was a highly reviewed CD player, and it has my interest. I'd like to compare it's sound to a Toshiba SD-9200. I've heard the latter, and forgetting all about DVD-A and the player's usability faults, it makes an ordinary CD sound marvelous.

The CAL unit, like other older units, has a 20/96 DAC. The DAC in the Toshiba plays up to 24/192 for DVD-A. Assuming for the moment that the choice is between 20/96 (the CAL) and 24/96 (whatever else), how much sound performance am I giving up if I go with the 20/96?

I suppose what is really bothering me is something like the frustration I feel when my computer components become dated. Sure, they worked fine in the day, but now there's better to be had. I haven't yet auditioned 20/96 and likely won't be able to A/B test with a 24/96. The main point: if I go with a 20/96, am I buying something that I'll toss in a few years for playing red book CD audio?
im_all_ears
gregm
3,405 posts
 
ONE obvious choice on yr list is the Aero -- but its price is well beyond your stated budget.
reubent
6,982 posts
 
Ears,

Help us out! What are the other components that you will be using in your audio system? Will it be a 2-channel music system or a multi-channel combination music/Home Theater system?

If you don't plan to use the player for DVD playback or multi-channel music, I would suggest a dedicated CD player as they generally load the disk faster and don't have any usability problems.

Enjoy,

TIC
im_all_ears OP
9 posts
 
TIC,

Someday I would like to move to DVD-A or SACD capble players, but I've decided that the formats haven't settled down yet and therefore will an ordinary CD player is all I'm looking for (unless the player also happens to be DVD-A or SACD). I would like my player to be HDCD capable, however. All I'm looking for is 2-channel playback.

The other components in my system are:

Krell KAV-300i
Thiel CS2s
im_all_ears OP
9 posts
 
Oh, yes. I forgot. I'm also using a Squeezebox2 in my system, which really perhaps argues that at most what I need is the best DAC I can get for under $1000. I may start a second thread on this.
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