2. digital
  3. 123545-2581

up to $2,500 to spend............

At crossroads....need input...

Lets say....if one has a budget of $2,500 to spend. Thinking of other digital playback options besides SACD or CD Player route.

Though not a newbie...I am not tech inclined and prefer a system that is simple. I have all the cabling neccessary for dedicated cdps...ie...rca interconnects...a nice powercord. Don't need super convenience of accessing music/songs at a mere touch of the Ipad etc etc. I really am ok with getting up to change Cds (remote a must though). I am fine with just sacd or cd (95 percent of my collection is redbook cd)...having to do without  spotify or tidal is fine...at least for next 5 years. 

I am after a certain SQ though. Rich and full bodied sound...I listen to jazz vocal and acoustic instrumental almost exclusively. Smooth non etched top end. Detail is nice but I am ok with sacrificing some detail for an overall smooth non fatiguing listening experience.

Am I able to get into other options in digital playback with the above budget or should I stick with the good olde SACD/CD player?

Thanks!


pc123v
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,296 posts
 
SK - I use "double headed USB cable" to describe a USB cable with 2 A terminated leads joined at a common B terminal.  One A terminal plugs into the computer.  The other A terminal plugs into a power supply like an iPhone 5V USB charger or powered USB hub etc.  This separates signal and power reducing power/noise contamination of the audio signal...or so I think I've read. The B terminal plugs into the USB/SPDIF converter.  

Don't recall details of the merits of a USB/SPDIF converter relative to jitter reduction.  I do know when I first used a V-Link (the original, not the 192) with a V-DAC the improvement was noticeable and significant. That was quite a few years ago and DAC technology in audio has improved a lot since then.  A USB/SPDIF converter might not now be as critical with newer USB-equipped DACs.  Here's a link to a 2013 article, "When to use a USB/SPDIF converter".  Hope it is helpful. http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2013/07/when-should-you-use-an-external-usb-spdif-converter/


skvinson
6 posts
 
Thanks again. I'll check out the article.
pc123v OP
85 posts
 
Thanks everyone. Really appreciate time taken to offer advise. I have always wanted to get into computer audio...now is a good time to get myself educated on it. 


ricevs
1,516 posts
 

You guys really need to check out the Gustard X20 DAC.  $870 delivered from China and already two guys say it beats their Yggdrasil and Vega Dacs....another guy told me yesterday it beats his Wyred for Sound DAC 2 DSD SE.  And this is stock!!!! I have some simple DIY free mods that take it to a whole different level and will have even more mods available soon.  This thing is something I have never heard....it is seriously great!  And cheap.....does DSD up to 2 times via usb and 4 or 8 times via I2S and has digital volume control.  Check out the links on my site.  I will have more info on my site very, very soon. 

http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Gustard_X20_Mods.html

Ric Schultz                                                                            Tweakaudio.com

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