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kijanki

Responses from kijanki

Oppo as transport
Audphile - let me answer point number 4 of your original post. Dedicated transports, often very expensive, offer very low jitter of digital signal. Average cheap player exhibits up to 3ns peak jitter what corresponds to about -85dB in sidebands it... 
Oppo as transport
Audphile - Your are right. I won't mention cables again. 
Oppo as transport
Yes I've heard similar arguments about super $1/ft cables from Home Depot and diabolic secret arrangements between reviewers and manufacturers. Somebody even suggested that millions of audiophiles enjoying expensive cables must be under some kind ... 
DAC gain, or amp volume?
Volume should be set so that you get max power at 1 o'clock position. On XLR outputs 0dB has lowest output impedance (if it makes difference) followed by -20dB (-10dB is the worst at least on mine). New version of Benchmark has stronger amps and d... 
Stock Benchmark DAC-1 versus EA MSB Gold Link 3
0dB on XLR is the best if you need lowest output impedance. Signal path "calibrated" or path with volume control are identical according to John Siau - Benchmark's technical Director. Mods done to Benchmark remove (if I'm not wrong) oversampling t... 
whats a good older hdcd cd player?
For digital source almost anything sounds the same on Benchmark as long as it is "bit transparant" - even Benchmark says so. Video is nice benefit - I use Sony DVD player with DAC1. 
Oppo as transport
Yes you cannot get cleaner than clean but you might dirty the signal. Expensive cables use foamed oversized teflon to lower dielectric constant, zero crystal 7N silver or copper, double shileding (foil and braid), have capacitance in order of 5pF/... 
Oppo as transport
Some DVD players might be not "bit transparent" (with digital volume control etc) while some others like my Sony have absolutely crazy logic (other than that good player). Every time I send command stop, play, open it displays it for 5 sec before ... 
Oppo as transport
If you use jitter rejecting DACs like Benchmark then DVD player is a good transport - excellent tracking (and cheap). 
DAC as an upgrade
Mapman - external DACs can play pretty much anything in up to 24bit/192kHz delivered by SPDIF or USB (Benchmark). CDs might be replaced in future by downloads to hard drive bypassing unforunate redbook CD format with limitation of 44kHz carrier. M... 
whats a good older hdcd cd player?
FMJ-23 used RINGDACs same Dacs used in expensive Elgar. (ARCAM got license for them). Because of production problems (low yield) they switched to regular DACs in next generation. Get one if you still can. Ringdac has 4 current sources built-in tha... 
DAC as an upgrade
Be careful with used DACs. Old Benchmarks had worse op-amps and other problems. Many companies like Benchmark and I am sure Bel Canto offer free trial at home (30 days in case of Benchmark) - you like it you keep it - if not send it back. Differen... 
Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil
Thanks Volleyguy. I'm in the process of replacing cheap aluminium dome Vifas with Morel Supreme 110. Now it needs playing time to soften but is already much cleaner (underhung motor). I will decide what to do after break-in and with new interconne... 
DAC as an upgrade
Mapman - Many DACs these days have built in jitter reduction circuitry allowing to use anything as a transport. I use Benchmark DAC1 with sony DVD player using 75 Ohm coax. Toslink connects my TV to Benchmark and I have still have one more unused ... 
Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil
Volleyguy - I suspected average performance of Solens but I bypassed them (10% of the value) with REL Audiocap PPT Theta. My review says that they are "clinical" "bright" and "forward" sounding - probably the worst possible cap but your link says ...