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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
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,360 posts
 

On HDCD , SACD  my oppo 972 sounds spectacular.

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,277 posts
 

@mihorn - Hi, I was responding to this....

DAC Comparison. Vermeer2 ($20k). Denafrips Ares ($2k), COS D1V2 ($3k), MSB Analog DAC ($5k), APL HiFi DSD MR ($13k)

rwwear
2,898 posts
 

The Oppo can definitely output SACD through HDMI and every high quality DSD DAC should have HDMI inputs to support SACD and BluRay audio which is usually higher quality than SACD.

kennyc
1,910 posts
 

A used Denafrips Pontus would be a great choice within your budget.  

gakman OP
64 posts
 

Thanks for all the input. I bought the oppo 205 when the news broke that oppo was ceasing production as I wanted the 4K Blu-Ray capabilities, it replaced the oppo 95 I had at the time. 

I am considering buying either the Benchmark DAC3 B, or the Denafrips Pontus -15-Dac. These two units are priced similarly, so cost is not a factor in buying decision. 

I'm having a hard time to decide which one would be better for me. I have generally come to feel that a more neutral to even a bit bright sound is better for me, as I've been able to tone down sound with combinations of outlets, power cords, and interconnects. Flip side when things are on the warm side, I've not been able to coax the delicate sounds (micro details) that make music so enjoyable out of the background. Essentially the problem I'm having with my current setup.

It seems many feel the Dentifrips is the way to go, and maybe it would be, but I hate buying without trying first. Maybe not apples to apples, but I once bought a pair of loudspeakers (highly regarded) without listening first and was not happy at all. They were way to warm, missing to much high frequency information. I have read a number of people saying the Denafrips Pontus -15-Dac is detailed, but then I also read some making it seem maybe a bit on the warm side? 

Anyone know which one would have a more holographic sound stage? Decisions, decisions.

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