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Best Way to Upgrade Digital

I have over 3K CD's and I am building a new system & not sure what is the best way to set up my digital.  Should I get A DAC & CD Ripper or a CD/SACD?  I'm leaning towards a CD Ripper with a DAC, given the number of CD's I have it will make it easier to play them & store tehm.  I have an old Benchmark DAC1, should I use this with a ripper?  Or get a new DAC? Do I need to update my Benchmark DAC?  Or should I just get a CD/SACD?  Trying to keep cost under $1,200 if possible.  Technology is changing so rapidly, that I don't want to spend lots of $$ for something that may be absolete or wothless in a couple of years.  Any suggestions?? I do own a Blunode Streamer, sounds ok, hoping the CD's will sound better.   
nyrican
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
898 posts
 
Bryston BDP series might be an option they will sound better than Blu Node. There is a BDP Pi over on Usaudiomart for $550. BDP-2 can be found for around $1.5K This could be used to stream a service like Qobuz and the Manic Moose interface can be used to control a optical drive such as a blue ray player. You can attach a external drive and rip CDs to and external disk. If you got 3K CD’s you could rip them to a NAS or TB storage. Keep your DAC1 now and upgrade it later.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/bryston-bdp-1-digital-audio-player-bryston-bdp-2
There is a BDP-2 over on USA audiomart as well with the upgraded sound card (BDP-3 I believe)   for around $1.7K.  Make them an offer.  Thats a sweet unit for that kind of money.

review: https://www.audiostream.com/content/bryston-bda-2-and-bdp-2


gasnsteering
58 posts
 
Lots of great advice here.  I used DB Power amp and it worked well. As for HD cd it must be checked from a menu to be used correctly.  
An excellent streamer, roon ready is the Pro-Ject Ultra Stream box S-2.  I bought mine from Audio Advisor due to the trial and return option.   Has its own app and connects to streaming services as well as cleaning up files if streaming from a laptop.   My ripped CDs are streamed from this and it accepts a thumb drive in the front.



gasnsteering
58 posts
 
Addition to above post:   The project streamer couples with a used Black Ice FX Dac will hit your target budget goal.     I don’t have a budget system but these two devices will keep you happy for quite a while (As much as an audiophile can be)

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