CDP or DAC?

kp1706

So if I have a $1000 to spend on audio should I by a CDP or use my old < $100 CDP as a transport (its still in good shape) and purchase a seperate DAC?

jinjuku

kp1706 wrote: »

So if I have a $1000 to spend on audio should I by a CDP or use my old < $100 CDP as a transport (its still in good shape) and purchase a seperate DAC?

If you are open to it ditch the CDP entirely and move your collection over to a Digital Streaming device. CDP's are downright clunkers compared to Hard Drive based storage.

You may want to look at what is out there for doing this and then define your budget. Look at the reviews for the Musiland Monitor 02. People are raving about the sound quality and it's under $200 for a DAC. Couple that with a $400 laptop + Windows MCE remote for ~$20 and you are good to go.

Another option that you could look at is the Olive 03HD if you really want to drop $1K.

markmarc

If you have a grand to spend, invest in a quality DAC. There is a BIG difference in sound quality of DAC's between $200-$500, and just a big of a jump from $500-$1000. At the bottom-end, the power supply is quite noisy. At $500 you start getting beyond the basic power supply issues but still deal with grainy sound and edginess. At the $1k level with the better clocking, etc. the depth of resolution reveals itself with a smoother and more 3 dimensional presentation.

Jinjuku makes a valid point that splitting the $1K into a music server (laptop) front end and a DAC may get you the best bang for the buck. In that setup, I'd recommend the Music Hall A25 DAC. A very nice unit that can double as a headphone amp. Of course, going with a used DAC can open you up to even more possibilities.

polrbehr

jinjuku wrote: »

If you are open to it ditch the CDP entirely and move your collection over to a Digital Streaming device. CDP's are downright clunkers compared to Hard Drive based storage.

+1

No opinions on what dacs to look at, honestly, your choices are many!
But having just added a Squeezebox Duet to my system, I can't believe how easy it was to set up, as well as how good the sound is (using all lossless, FYI).
My 110 disc CD changer :redface: is history, though I am adding my Denon DVD- 1940CI to the rig if I just want to sample some music before ripping it. That plus the Denon does SACDs as well.

jinjuku

markmarc wrote: »

At the bottom-end, the power supply is quite noisy. At $500 you start getting beyond the basic power supply issues but still deal with grainy sound and edginess.

I am researching dacs that are 12V DC driven. This way I can run on a battery. You can't get more noise free of linear than a DC battery. $30 battery will make up for A LOT of PSU / Line filtration.

Even if they are 5V I can simply build a 1amp regulator.

steveinaz

IMO, a $1000 DAC will sound better than most $1000 CDP's.

cnh

Personally, I prefer a CDP with tube stages but don't really disagree with any of the above. What I do find is that a lot of the younger guys here like the higher end digitally processed sound of DAC units for their 'precision' and 'detail' which are, of course good things.

But for me, that's still, often, not musical enough--to my ear--because I love my music 'warmer'?

cnh

mantis

kp1706 wrote: »

So if I have a $1000 to spend on audio should I by a CDP or use my old < $100 CDP as a transport (its still in good shape) and purchase a seperate DAC?

I was going to suggest the streaming hard drive based server for a cd replacement as spinning CD's is really going away.
Before I jumped on this idea I looked over your system.
Receiver: HK 354
Amp: Adcom GFA 555
Front: Polk Monitor 70
Center: CS2
Sub: PSW 125
Surrounds: Old Yammi's
CDP/DVDP: Sony DVP-NC600
Blue Ray: Samsung BD-D5700
TV: Sony 50" SXRD
I'm not sure about your goal here but I see some unbalance in your system. 1st I would replace the rears with a pair of matching polks for synergy. This will heighten your musical and movie surround experience.2nd I'd also think about adding or getting a better sub. This also helps your system sound it's best. You don't need 2 cd/dvd/blu ray drives in your system so get rid of the Sony and just use the Samsung Blu ray player. Sell the cables, player and Yammi rear channel speakers ad it to your 1000.00. This will give you more for your budget and really help make your system all that it can be.
Next move would be to start planning some kind of hard drive or streaming player for your music. The Apple TV is a wonderful device and really enhances your system with your itunes library , your digital pictures , home and purchased digital movies. You also can rent TV shows and movies . When friends come that have ipod touches , iphones or ipads , they now can play and watch their content on your system wirelessly with Airplay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXsEpfnUFNE
Never before has it been so easy to share content without having to store it.

Apple Tv isn't the only thing , there are many devices to choose from like Ruku , Google Tv , Squeezebox etc. So open your mind and browser and go learn all about these wonderful new devices.

dee1949

...my advice is to look for an old Sony DVP-s7700 or Sony DVP-s7000 on Ebay to use as a transport. Was their flagship model to introduce to the real world. Built like a brick **** house....ceramic and copper shielding. Motorized drop down door in front of cd drawer. Beautiful design and construction. Weighs a ton....usually had for under $100 on fleabay....but getting popular. Put the rest int a DAC that can be upgraded for the future.

..Google Sony DVP-s7700 or Sony DVP-s7000

chargerman426

I would defiantly get a DAC, and it would be a plus to get one with a USB so its a little more future proof. I have a PS audio Digital Link DAC and I'm very happy with. New its 800 but you can get them on Audiogon for 500 or so. However if you want to try a little tube warmth I would pick the new Jolida DAC they just came out with. I heard the one Scott has and it sounded good, especially after we rolled some Amperex 12AU7s in it.

playback

The Oppo Bdp 95 best $1000 you'll ever spend!:eek: There is great info at AVS forums! i got one and cant say enough about it.

pearsall001

I'd suggest picking up a nice dac (tube ) This way when you eventually convert over to a digital based Music Server (which you will) then the dac will also be put to good use as you box up that CD player for good.

reeltrouble1

what they are saying is maybe tubes can fix the screechy jitter.......

a cheap CD player definetely benefits from a DAC or even a tube buffer...nothing tops SACD so consider that along the way.

I agree with a 1000 dac as opposed to a cdp.

RT1

Flash21

Depends to some degree on what you have invested in CDs...I have probably 1,000+ CDs and it makes sense for me to have a good CDP.

steveinaz

An often over looked aspect of going the DAC route is versatility. If the DAC supports it, many have multiple inputs now, allowing you to connect lesser components via digital--and letting the much improved digital/analog section of the DAC do the heavy lifting.

I do this with my Benchmark; my DirecTV HD Box, BluRay, and CDP are all connected thru my Benchmark digitally. The Benchmarks dig/analog section is far superior to any of the connected components. My particular model (DAC1/PRE) has 3 coaxial, 1 toslink, 1 USB, and a set of analog inputs; and can be used as a preamp, or line-level DAC with the flip of a switch.

heiney9

playback wrote: »

The Oppo Bdp 95 best $1000 you'll ever spend!:eek: There is great info at AVS forums! i got one and cant say enough about it.

That's highly debatable and just your opinion. Glad you like your Oppo

H9

steveinaz

Isn't everything here just opinion?

heiney9

steveinaz wrote: »

Isn't everything here just opinion?

Sure is Steve, but when someone states it like it's a fact, I like to just remind that it's all opinion. People remind me all the time, just returning the favor

H9

zingo

jinjuku wrote: »

I am researching dacs that are 12V DC driven. This way I can run on a battery. You can't get more noise free of linear than a DC battery. $30 battery will make up for A LOT of PSU / Line filtration.

Even if they are 5V I can simply build a 1amp regulator.

Red Wine Audio makes a battery powered DAC that is supposed to be very nice, and errors on the side of emotion over detail as it is a no over sampling, 16bit unit. It has built in batteries, so no messing with external batteries or cables. I belive it is $1500 though...

fbm211

I have a dac that can run on 12VDC.I have been looking at SLA batteries.Still need to find a decent tricle recharger and a nice chassis and all the connectors Ill need to build the unit.

playback

heiney9 wrote: »

That's highly debatable and just your opinion. Glad you like your Oppo

H9

Well in my humble opinion on the topic of this tread, the Oppo bdp 95 replaced my Denon 5900 and Pioneer 51fd and bested them both! The Denon on Sacd ,2 channel stereo and redbook playback and not by a small margin, it's a more refined and musical player and has bass to die for a wide deep sound stage and pinpoint imaging. Video nothing can touch it!. Now the real sleeper is its playback via its usb input (up to 24/192) it's stagering and could not be easier to use. The sum of the parts speak for themselves The ESS Sabre Dac is considered to be the best in the world, with a dynamic range of 135db and the 95 has two:eek:, a custom Rotel power supply, Elna capacitors and the best video dac on the market. all in one box for $1000. So in your opinion what can match it?:cool:

phipiper10

Regarding the Oppo, "So in your opinion what can match it?"

For a universal player it seems the "consensus" that it beat's all at equal or lower prices and some players at higher prices. I'm not calling it a giant killer sound-wise but versatility combined with sound, yeah, it's pretty nice. Obviously I haven't heard all of those players but people are trading in their Denons and Pioneer and others for this item. I hear some prefer the Marantz player which I believe costs just slightly more. (This is excluding it's video or hard drive based playback)

I guess if the OP want's greater flexibility this might be the answer. A DAC providing superior Redbook but with less versatility is the other option. Both good choices.

It's all subjective and depends on tastes and needs. Oppo provides 30 days return policy other manufacturers for similar items may provide similar. Try before if possible.

Good luck whatever you decide. Will be interested to hear what you do.