If you have a dac I’d recommend getting a transport. Much more flexibility.
Ruminations On CD Players
After multiple factory rebuilds, I'm ready to replace my twenty year old Arcam CD-73 CD player. I've looked through lists of recommended CD players in the $2000 range, and have noticed that some are all-inclusive while others have separate transports and DACs. Other than ease of replacement, what are the benefits of having the transport and DAC separate? Any recommendations on CD players in this price range? I only have music CDs so don't need anything that can do more than that.
Thanks,
John Cotner
New Ulm, MN
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- 118 posts total
It’s good you’re at least open to the possibility of streaming in the future. Once I started streaming via Qobuz I very rarely spin a CD anymore because 90%+ of my music is available to stream from my chair in any order, and a good bit of it is also available in hi res. Plus, I spend much more time exploring worlds of new music, which I find infinitely more rewarding, enlightening, and enjoyable than just playing the same stuff over and over — best thing to happen to audio in decades IMHO and has totally reinvigorated my love of audio. My only regret is I didn’t start streaming even sooner. All that said, if you do think you might try streaming in the future you might consider a separate transport/DAC or at least a CD player that has a digital input and can be used as a DAC. These days you’ll also have a lot more choices in DACs than CD players, so there’s also that to consider. Anyway, best of luck in whichever way you choose to go. |
+1 mahler123 comments. With a CDP you have to like the voicing of the DAC. With separates you can either find the DAC to optimize your sonic preferences and or match your system. There are tastes in DACs like Difference chip, R2R, tube buffer etc. Can't match that with an all in one. I'm running a Cambridge CXC transport and MHDT Orchid (R2R, tube single buffer) DAC. I can change the sound by swapping a single inexpensive 2C51 tube for $15 to $90 from warm, rounded to crisp and revealing with that tube. I think MSRP for both is now around $2300. I got an open box CXC for about $350. Orchids are tougher to find used and new run about $1300. And yes, a DAC will allow for future growth like a streamer. |
I think it’s so great that you’re keeping your mind open to other options, and in the end it will likely pay off big and be well worth the added effort. I noticed that you haven’t really touched on what improvements you might aspire to with a new digital front end and what sound characteristics are most important to you as this should ultimately be what guides you to the best upgrade path, and any thoughts you have on this critical info could be very helpful in getting more targeted recommendations here. Also, in addition to the Cambridge transport mentioned above I’ll also mention this Audiolab transport that has garnered a lot of positive feedback. Just something else to chew on while your in research mode. |
- 118 posts total