Thoughts on using the DAC in my oppo 205 with a CD Transport.


Hello,

I have been somewhat disappointed with the Redbook CD playback using my oppo 205. It's not that it always sounds bad, sometimes it actually sounds quite nice. I would say my biggest complaint is the lack of micro details, the light cymbal taps and other fine background sounds that make music so enjoyable. 

Since I can input a digital source to the oppo (Optical, Coaxial, or USB) and use the SABRE 32 DAC inside, I've been thinking of trying a CD Transport. Possibly the Audiolab 7000CDT. My system consists of the Simaudio Moon 600i integrated amp driving Focal L&R Utopia Be loudspeakers. 

My question is, would this arrangement provide me improved (and or) more detailed sound than I'm currently getting?

Thank you for your thoughts and knowledge!

Gary

gakman

Showing 5 responses by audphile1

You are using the dac inside the Oppo when you’re playing cds. It wouldn’t make a difference or at least wouldn’t give you what you’re looking for sonically if you use audiolab or any other transport to feed the Oppo. You need an external good quality DAC and feed it using Oppo as a transport. That’s a quicker and surer way to get to where you want to be. 

Chord Qutest, Benchmark DAC 3, Bryston BDA-3 (closer to $2k) 

Chord and Bryston are more musical than benchmark  

There are others but I listed what I had experience with  

 

Does Oppo output DSD via coax out? In other words can it be used as SACD transport?

Add PS Audio DSD DAC to your list. I forgot I had it and liked it. Well under $1500 at this point.