New CDP or DAC?

PSOVLSK
PSOVLSK Posts: 5,371
edited July 2010 in Electronics
Currently use either my PS3 or an older Panasonic DVD player as a CDP.

Which would give me the biggest upgrade, a better CDP or a DAC? Would like to keep it in the $200-250 range. I know my budget severely limits me on a DAC, but give me your thoughts.
Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
Post edited by PSOVLSK on
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2010
    I'd personally go with a DAC, you can use it on different CDP's and you're more than likely able to get something that sounds a bit better than a stand alone player.

    Not saying you can't find a good player in that price range, but you'd have to look in the used section for that and know what to look for and hope that someone is selling that particular player.

    Just my .02

    -Freddy
    Truck setup
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,371
    edited July 2010
    Thanks. Just went on craigslist and found a Parasound D/AC 800 for $125. I don't know if it's still available, but that seems like a pretty good deal.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited July 2010
    I vote go with the DAC, and use the old Panny DVD player.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited July 2010
    This thread intrests me greatly

    I would love to hear forum members thoughts on cheap dac recommendations in the $200 or slightly above price range
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2010
    There's the Adcom GDA-600 which I've heard nothing but good things about. Fairly inexpensive, just hard to find anyone selling one.

    I wanted a DAC as well, but decided I'd go with a DAC+pre.

    Let us know what you end up getting and your thoughts on it!

    -Freddy
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,826
    edited July 2010
    I know a lot of the guys at audiocircle liked the Maverick Audio DAC/pre.. there's a whole thread devoted to it on the cheap & cheerful section.
    http://www.mavaudio.com/
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited July 2010
    I bought a tube CDP that has a great DAC in it but it cost more than 10xs the amount of your budget. Halfstepping just puts a bigger burden on your bank account over time but that's just me.
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited July 2010
    A musical fidelity v-dac can be had used for around 200
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited July 2010
    bopicasso wrote: »
    A musical fidelity v-dac can be had used for around 200

    Good choice.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited July 2010
    Paul, I was using my PS3 as CDP. I wanted better sound so I bought a PS Audio DAC III but the improvement in sound was marginal.

    I then bought a Rotel 1072 CDP and with the PS Audio DAC it was magic.

    The Rotel is suppose to have a very good DAC but I have not tried it since I had already bought the PS Audio DAC.

    So if you buy a DAC you may not realize the sound improvements you are looking for if your CDP is holding you back.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited July 2010
    Rotel makes great CD players, I have the RCD-1072, look on Audiogon for one. It will cost you more then your budget, but it will be well worth it.

    But don't take my word for it, Here is a report from Russ, & he knows good gear when he hears it!

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36450&highlight=Rotel+1072
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited July 2010
    Paul, If you would like to borrow mine to see if you like it let me know.

    Here is one for $370

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1282352855&/Rotel-RCD-1072-
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,371
    edited July 2010
    Thanks for all the suggestions.

    The Maverick Audio DAC is intriguing.

    The Music Fidelity was on my list of DAC's.

    Sent an e-mail to the seller of the Rotel CDP, but haven't heard back from him. That seems like a CDP that a guy could enjoy for years.

    Tracy, thanks for the offer. I'd love to take you up on it, but I'm scared of somehow damaging it while it's in my possession. All it would take was my 6 year old "Dennis the Menace" look alike doing something he wasn't supposed to do:)
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2010
    I know where a rotel rcd-1072 cdp for $275. Let me know if you're interested.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,371
    edited July 2010
    Very interested Leroy. I sent you a pm.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,371
    edited July 2010
    Well I've sent three e-mails to different individuals about a couple of CDP's and a DAC but I can't seem to get a reply from anyone.

    Guess I'll just try to be patient until something comes along.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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