Setting up 2 channel system

footwedge

Trying to setup a 2 channel system in my office because the HT system in the den with attempts to make it a dual purpose system will not suffice mainly due to geometry and the WAF.

Currently have the B&K 200.2, PT3 and LSI 7s for the 2 channel system but looking for a CDP. My plan is to go computer/external hd as the music source but will have to spin cds until this happens.

So at this point, I'm looking for a cdp that will allow me to do this future change but can't find one except for the Oppo's. Don't understand why all the mid level cdp's only have digital outputs (for what purpose?) while the high end cdp's (SA-14S1) have both input and outputs but yet only decode substandard codecs (mp3/WMA etc).

I'm I missing something or is the oppo what I need? Do not care about SACD.

Hope this makes since.

Conradicles

The PT3 is not the best. Have a plan to replace it too.

footwedge

DSkip wrote: »

The Marantz players do dsd flac and the rest of it. Not sure where you are seeing substandard at. The 8005 would fit your system very well.

Thanks D. I've read the manuals for both the 8005 and S1 and never saw it stated in either that they would except lossless codecs in particular FLAC. Maybe it's my ignorance in terminology but do not understand why they specifically call out the codecs for the front USB input but not the rear input.

footwedge

Conradicles wrote: »

The PT3 is not the best. Have a plan to replace it too.

One has to start somewhere and if I started with a higher end pre I would miss out on the upgrade fun.

Nightfall

IIRC the PT3 was a $600 preamp when it came out, its not the worst either. A lot of people spend less than that on their AVR.

footwedge

So, if the cdp has a quality DAC? what's the purpose of a digital out?

voltz

^^^^
Exactly but if you did want to test or compare it with another DAC, then this way you could...

I have the Marantz SA-8005 SACD player, and it does have a great DAC and I can plug my Ipod full of FLAC's into the front port and it works great, and lets me use the remote to switch songs etc...

Marantz has a good windows driver for using it with a PC and a good program like JRiver Media...and you dont have to buy any SACD's but if you be set if you did buy some hirez files online.

but if your thinking of using PC full of flacs and HI-REZ music then maybe you just need a good DAC?

Nightfall

Maybe also look into the Marantz NA6005/NA8005 if you're looking to go full digital. They will play high res FLAC as well as DSD and the other usual suspects. The 8005 will also function as a USB DAC.

footwedge

voltz wrote: »

^^^^
Exactly but if you did want to test or compare it with another DAC, then this way you could…

Just asking but is this the only/main reason for the digital out? If so, for cdps with only a digital out,why not have a digital in instead where one could connect a computer and play hires files (flac,aiff,alac,wav) ?


I have the Marantz SA-8005 SACD player, and it does have a great DAC and I can plug my Ipod full of FLAC's into the front port and it works great, and lets me use the remote to switch songs etc...

Marantz has a good windows driver for using it with a PC and a good program like JRiver Media…and you don't have to buy any SACD's but if you be set if you did buy some hirez files online.


^^^^this is the future plan but also want to spin disc in the meantime while I learn the downloading, ripping and library setup processes. I will be using a MAC which is listed in the manual. However it only lists playback of DSD and PCM sources, page 21, with no mention of the other popular codecs. If the 8005 will allow me to connect a MAC full of flac,aiff,alac, or wav files and playback then the 8005 will definitely be high on the list. Read on some other sites that the marantz cannot playback these codecs.


but if your thinking of using PC full of flacs and HI-REZ music then maybe you just need a good DAC?

footwedge

Nightfall wrote: »

Maybe also look into the Marantz NA6005/NA8005 if you're looking to go full digital. They will play high res FLAC as well as DSD and the other usual suspects. The 8005 will also function as a USB DAC.

After looking at the manual for the NA8005, I wish I could have the NA and SA 8005 in one unit.

voltz

if I use the windows driver and a PC hooked up via usb-b on back of SA8005 its play all files ....also with my Ipod classic and touch full of apple lossy (ALAC)s attach via front USB, it automatic goes to Ipod -direct and plays all them music and the remote work for changing songs or pausing.

but a USB flash drive with DSD DSF. files and or Flac or Alac says not compatible... but MP3's seem to work just fine...I may play more with it some more.

Nightfall

voltz wrote: »

but a USB flash drive with DSD DSF. files and or Flac or Alac says not compatible...

That's a deal breaker for me because I use Linux instead of Windows or Mac, I have no idea what DACs would work with Linux and which don't. They rarely even mention the OS in the specs.

footwedge

DSkip wrote: »

The Marantz players do dsd flac and the rest of it. Not sure where you are seeing substandard at. The 8005 would fit your system very well.

@DSkip. Did not type want I was thinking in reference to "substandard codecs". I was thinking why won't the SA 8005 and S1 accept flac,alac etc files from a MAC through the usb input? Did not see this specifically stated in either manual. If I missed this, then I apologize but if this is true, why is this and what would it have taken to allow this feature?

pretzelfisch

I found that with my wma and flac files the players didn't like the settings I used when ripping them. I had to convert them to cd quality settings and they would play. You might find the same issue.

tonyb

footwedge wrote: »

So, if the cdp has a quality DAC? what's the purpose of a digital out?

Because in audio, there's always different degrees of "better".

motorhead43026

footwedge wrote: »

So, if the cdp has a quality DAC? what's the purpose of a digital out?

My Marantz cdp has a pretty good DAC. My Parasound P5 to me has a much better DAC. Therefore I run Digital Coaxial out to the P5 and use it's DAC.

footwedge

tonyb wrote: »

footwedge wrote: »

So, if the cdp has a quality DAC? what's the purpose of a digital out?

Because in audio, there's always different degrees of "better".

OK. So the manufacturers are the enablers of the rabbit hole.

For cdps with a digital out only, is it cost prohibited to also include a digital input that will allow playback of all the popular codecs?

tonyb

In some cases, yes. They have a certain price point to meet and most who buy a cdp buy it to spin disks, not play files. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Those who want better usually go down the separate dac route anyway, hence the digital outs, or if you want your receiver to do all the decoding. In some cases, a cheaper cdp with digital outs will benefit from a 2k receiver doing the decoding.....or a better separate dac. All depends, in todays world of one box solutions, and price points to meet, compromises have to be made.

footwedge

tonyb wrote: »

In some cases, yes. They have a certain price point to meet and most who buy a cdp buy it to spin disks, not play files. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Makes sense for the mid/low end cdps. But for the higher end cdps with digital inputs and outputs, one or I would expect it to also accept the more popular codecs, flac,alac. This is not the case from what I've read except for the oppo.

tonyb

footwedge wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

In some cases, yes. They have a certain price point to meet and most who buy a cdp buy it to spin disks, not play files. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Makes sense for the mid/low end cdps. But for the higher end cdps with digital inputs and outputs, one or I would expect it to also accept the more popular codecs, flac,alac. This is not the case from what I've read except for the oppo.

I never heard that. All the higher cdp's I know of all play flac and apple lossless files. There is no other point to incur the expense of putting in digital inputs if they don't.

footwedge

tonyb wrote: »

footwedge wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

In some cases, yes. They have a certain price point to meet and most who buy a cdp buy it to spin disks, not play files. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Makes sense for the mid/low end cdps. But for the higher end cdps with digital inputs and outputs, one or I would expect it to also accept the more popular codecs, flac,alac. This is not the case from what I've read except for the oppo.

I never heard that. All the higher cdp's I know of all play flac and apple lossless files. There is no other point to incur the expense of putting in digital inputs if they don't.

Everyone I researched is limited to DSD & LPCM through the USB input as are the network players. Going to show my digital ignorance, but does Linear PCM or DSD terminology mean a particular unit will support FLAC, AIFF, ALAC files etc?

My guess would be no, because if they did then why not list those supported files in the manual which would surely keep me from getting confused.

tonyb

Now your talking USB, a tad different than your standard toslink or SPDIF connections. When talking USB, most will state what they support in the way of file formats. If it supports DSD, it's gonna play your lossless files just fine.

DSD is the current buzz word to sell products. Anything DSD capable should play lossless files no problem, they just want to use that DSD header as a marketing tool, sales pitch, to get you in. A simple google search of any product should be able to come up with file formats supported.

Is there something in particular your looking at and are unsure of ?

honestaquarian

http://nadelectronics.com/articles/Stereophile-Reviews-C375BEE-C565BEE

honestaquarian

Read tha last part of the review about the cd player

footwedge

tonyb wrote: »

Now your talking USB, a tad different than your standard toslink or SPDIF connections. When talking USB, most will state what they support in the way of file formats. If it supports DSD, it's gonna play your lossless files just fine.

DSD is the current buzz word to sell products. Anything DSD capable should play lossless files no problem, they just want to use that DSD header as a marketing tool, sales pitch, to get you in. A simple google search of any product should be able to come up with file formats supported.

Is there something in particular your looking at and are unsure of ?

First looked at DSkip's SA14s1 followed by the SA8005 and neither say FLAC, ALAC, AIFF is supported in the manuals, page 31 and 70 respectfully via the usb input. They do sate DSD and PCM is supported via the usb input. Also looked at azure 651C but no digital input and music hall c-dac15.3 but manual was to vague.

So being ignorant when it comes to digital, I looked up the NA8005 and page 99 states the usb memory device will support DSD, FLAC, ALAC, and AIFF. I take notice of this list even though it's referencing a memory stick, because I actually see specific file types stated. Then on page 100 it states files supported via usb input are DSD and PCM. This makes me SMDH. Don't know if its due to my ignorance or poorly written manuals.

Disclaimer: Just to give you my digital background, when I rip a CD or download an album it will be my first.

tonyb

Manuals can be a bit sparse no doubt. Just google up the question and you'll get answers from previous owners who may have posted on other forums. It's all in the way you search. For instance, ask Google...."What files does the Marantz xyz support ?

Now, if your going to download cd's or albums, how exactly are you going to do that ? On your computer ? In a lossless format ? Then any dac will play that through their digital inputs. Some of course will sound better than others. Plus most all USB inputs today do cd quality or better.