Thinking About a New CD Player


Well new to me.

Been thinking it might be time to upgrade my old CD player that I've been using for the past 8+ years. It's a Sonic Frontiers SFCD-1 and I still like its sound. However it's a 20 bit machine and am looking to "upgrade to 24 bit.

Don't want to spend more than around $1600. My short list: BAT VK-5, Cary 303-300 and Meridian 508.24.

Welcome your thoughts and opinions on these and any others, including reasons why, you'd care to suggest.

Thanks
bob_malpass

Showing 2 responses by kijanki

Bob - you won't get 24 bits. It is called 24-bit but real resolution is most likely below 20-bits. Traditional (ladder type) converters don't get any higher than 18-bits because of component tolerances while sigma-delta variety won't get higher because of timing accuracy and noise floor (your 20 bit is equivalent to 120dB). Why to upgrade if you like the sound?

If you upgrade - have you considered DAC. I use jitter rejecting Benchmark DAC1 ($1k) with inexpensive DVD player (good tracking) and Mac mini server. I have also HDTV connected. DAC makes system transport independent.
Buconero117 - Oppo 83se costs $900 while Benchmark DAC1 costs $995. What excuse to spend more you're talking about?