CDP/DAC... I just want to get your opinions

Joey_V

Alright guys... this is what I have come down to after several weeks researching on the 'net. As most of you know, I am after a DAC for my FLACs (from SB3) first and foremost, BUT I would also like to have something that works as a CDP if possible as I foresee myself getting more and more CDs (and possibly SACD if I get the right unit).

Bear in mind that I'm posting prices because it is crucial to the decision, being that this thread is a "buy" thread. So if you're against me posting prices, you can skip this thread. Sorry.

So here are the contenders:
1. Cary Audio 303/200 (CDP + DAC) - clean and quick way to getting into the CDP market and a good DAC built in also. About $1300 on 'gon vs $2K new.

2. Cary Audio 306/200 (CDP + DAC) - robust build quality, great reviews, probably comparable to some of the better CDPs out there from Ayre and Esoteric. About $2000 on 'gon vs $5K new.

3. Cary Audio 306/300 aka 306-SACD (SACD + DAC) - hailed by many as the second coming, so much good reviews about this CDP on the internet. Looks killer also in the full aluminum chassis, makes the other two look cheap. Expensive, at about $3800 on 'gon vs $6K new.


4. PS Audio Digital Link III (DAC only) - new and hyped up. Not sure how it compares to the others that have been here for some time now. About $695 from my friend MLS vs $1K retail.



Those are pretty much the four choices I'm looking at. I am going to try to audition the PS Audio here at home and see what it brings me. However, the 306/200 looks to be the best buy of the 4 seeing how it has such an awesome following and a great topology to boot. The 306-SACD seems to be the splurge it all unit for me... not sure if I really want to eat Ramen again. The Cary 303/200 seems to be the other best buy as it gets me to a good CDP and DAC combo. The PS Audio is the cheapest and easiest hit to take.

I've looked at several other CDPs, from the Levinsons to the Esoterics and the Sim Audios... but these Carys (atleast the 306/200 and 306-SACD) seem to get all the raves right now... along with the Ayre C5xe and the Meridian 808 (oh god.... what a monster).

Not sure what to do... still mulling it over, but I would really appreciate some feedback from all you guys. I know I posted a similar thread before, but this is far more "for real". Last time, I didnt have much of a direction to head out into. So, bottomline, if any of you guys have heard these things, let me know. I would like to spend as little as possible but still draw a smile on my face each time I listen. IF I need to spend more than I have to, I will. But I'd really really rather not. The cheaper the better for me.

Anyway, as always, thanks guys for bearing with me!

Joey

PS
If you have any suggestions, I would like a CDP with Digital inputs, that's the big necessity. I think the only DAC that I really want to try out is the PS Audio DL III, and I've gotten tips on the Scott Nixon and the Lite Dac in previous threads.

steveinaz

If I were going to the high-end players you've listed, I'd probably not go with an external DAC. These players will do fine all on their own...

I've been considering for awhile, going with an "upper-crust" Musical Fidelity CDP, and selling off my Benchmark/CEC combo to help finance it; I'm just a little apprehensive about the possibility of blowing the synergy I've got going. If I'm going to spend $1500+ dollars on a CDP, I want to stand on it's own--no external DAC.

Joey_V

Steve,
The PS Audio is not for the CDP, it's for the SB3. Basically I need a DAC for the squeezebox3 first and foremost so hence the PS Audio DLIII was an idea I concocted in my head. Then I thought to myself, why not just get a CDP with digital inputs to kill 2 birds with 1 stone?

None of the MF CDP have digital inputs I dont think, and most are not balanced as I want to go balanced soon after. I was looking at the KW, but I have also heard good things about the Nuvista and Trivista.

Joey

steveinaz

Oh, got'cha. Maybe I should read better. have you looked at the Benchmark DAC? 3 inputs/switchable; XLR/Coax-BNC/Toslink--can also be used as a preamp. 2 headphone outputs as well.....$995

unc2701

MF does have the CD/pre with digital inputs & outputs, but I don't think that's what you're looking for. The only other brand with inputs that comes to mind is Wadia... I can't remember the model #'s though.

That benchmark DAC really is nice. My friend who sells studio gear let me demo one for a few months, and it's worthy of the praise it gets. If you want to learn what jitter sounds like, run a benchmark for awhile, then go back to whatever you were using before- it'll be a slap in the face.

Joey_V

unc2701 wrote:

MF does have the CD/pre with digital inputs & outputs, but I don't think that's what you're looking for. The only other brand with inputs that comes to mind is Wadia... I can't remember the model #'s though.

That benchmark DAC really is nice. My friend who sells studio gear let me demo one for a few months, and it's worthy of the praise it gets. If you want to learn what jitter sounds like, run a benchmark for awhile, then go back to whatever you were using before- it'll be a slap in the face.

Still searching for the MF w/ digital inputs... but cant find it yet.

Regarding the Wadia, those get expensive real quick and real fast. I've been looking at some of those though.

Thanks!

Joey_V

steveinaz wrote:

Oh, got'cha. Maybe I should read better. have you looked at the Benchmark DAC? 3 inputs/switchable; XLR/Coax-BNC/Toslink--can also be used as a preamp. 2 headphone outputs as well.....$995

Benchmark has been on my radar ever since. The only turnoffs are the preamp and the headphone amp sections of it as I want it simply for a DAC. I bet it sounds great though as you have it and many good reviews for it are abundantly found. If I can get my hands on one, I'll definitely test it out. I talked to several people though and they said that the PS Audio is a better DAC than the Benchmark, which is kinda why I was planning on sticking with the PS Audio as my ony DAC choice, that and because I get 33% off brand new. Who know which really sounds better unless I hear both myself.

It's real hard to choose because there's no way I can listen to everything that everyone recommends.... it's damn near impossible. I guess in the end, it's a crap shoot and I just hope I pick the right one.

Joey

haimoc

Joey...

From your list, if I have to make a choice, I would choose Cary 306/300 which is excelent in both sound and build quality. It performs well in both SACD and CD (including HDCD). I have listened to a system (Physic Audio speakers) with Cary 303/300 and 306/300, I'd like 306/300 the best. One thing that I would keep in mind is Cary CD players (same as Wadia) tends to have a warmer sound, so I would not choose a warm-sound CD player with a system with warm-sound speakers. Some people don't like Cary 306/300 because they are bundled with many options and features..

From the design standpoint, Wadia does look impressed and comes with digital volume feature to match tube or solid equipments. Have you looked into Wadia CD player?

I have listened to Ayre 7e.. It is a very good CD player, but the sound is somewhat gentlle for me... I don't have experience with Ayre C5xe, but it must be a top class CD player....

Joey_V

haimoc wrote:

Joey...

From your list, if I have to make a choice, I would choose Cary 306/300 which is excelent in both sound and build quality. It performs well in both SACD and CD (including HDCD). I have listened to a system (Physic Audio speakers) with Cary 303/300 and 306/300, I'd like 306/300 the best. One thing that I would keep in mind is Cary CD players (same as Wadia) tends to have a warmer sound, so I would not choose a warm-sound CD player with a system with warm-sound speakers. Some people don't like Cary 306/300 because they are bundled with many options and features..

From the design standpoint, Wadia does look impressed and comes with digital volume feature to match tube or solid equipments. Have you looked into Wadia CD player?

I have listened to Ayre 7e.. It is a very good CD player, but the sound is somewhat gentlle for me... I don't have experience with Ayre C5xe, but it must be a top class CD player....

Haimoc,
I've listened to the Ayre c5xe, top shelf all the way. Much better than the Classe CDP-202 top of the line cdp in the system consisting of Classe 2200 amps and BW802D speakers, atleast in that particular system anyway.

Also, considered Meridian, will look into those again.... not sure if they have digital inputs.

The one thing I really need are digital inputs because I dont want to spend extra on a subpar standalone DAC if I can getaway with a better DAC via a CDP.

I appreciate your push for the 306SACD, some say it's the second coming and most say it's one of the finest playback sources around, even over the Ayre C5xe. Not sure... but one thing I know is this, if I get teh 306sacd, I'll be dirt poor for a little while again.

Thanks,
Joey

tonyb

Seems to me Joey,you need another girl.:)
The Cary 306 is bad **** indeed.Congrats:)

Joey_V

Man,
I was looking at the Wadia 860... thing is old but still reference! I dont know if I want to spend that much on something that's 5 years old though.... but killer looks and killer components (for the time) and digital inputs. The newer Wadias are double what I want to spend, so that's out.

Tony... I think you're right my friend.

haimoc

Joey,

Between Wadia 302 and Cary 306, I still like 306 better. Don't know anything about 860.

Joey_V

haimoc wrote:

Joey,

Between Wadia 302 and Cary 306, I still like 306 better. Don't know anything about 860.

THe 306SACD right? Have you heard the 306/200?

haimoc

Yes, 306 SACD, but it does not mean Cary 306 is better than Wadia 302. The Physic Audio (I forget the model) speakers with Wadia 302 are not matched together in my opinion. That is all. In that setup with Wadia 302, the sound was leaning to the darker side, and Cary sound was crystal clear and neutral.

I have not heard 306/200, but 303/300. Honestly, I can't tell the difference between 303/300 and 306, the only reason I like 306 better is it supports SACD. If I remember correctly, both 306 and 303 have options for tube or SS output.

If you are spending this much for a CD player, it is best to find the one that matches the speakers and system.

Joey_V

Anyone else? Come on guys...

LuSh

I'm not associated at all with the seller but I did a search on Audiogon and found this....

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1174294610

That represets what some would call the most analog presentation of digital music one could buy regardless of Price. Enter "Bidat" on audiogon or audio asylum and enjoy and explore what many people to this day consider the best digital player. It has a toggle between digital inputs as well...