Digital Audio hasn't improved in 10 years. . .

AndyGwis

Do you know how I know that?

Because I just hooked up a Transport made in 1998 (Classe CDT-1) to a DAC made in 1992 (Audio Research DAC1-20), and it sounds like heaven!

That's all. I'm not sure if I'll keep both of them or not, but they sound great together. I'm likely to keep the Audio Research and used a decent SACD player as my transport so I don't lose SACD.

I also have in my possession a Proceed PDT-2 transport. Works and sounds great, too, but too funky looking for my tastes. I posted a generic pic of each piece. Need to fire up my camera to take some actual pics of them in my rig.

tonyb

I dunno,I think it has changed for the good.I said it before and I'll say it again,as you just found out....Aw ell built piece of gear is a well built piece regardless if it was made 10 years ago or yesterday.

Bill Ayotte

If you can that Audio Research DAC, Let me know....I will sell a nut for it.

steveinaz

I'm still amazed at how good 1980's vintage Yamaha 18-bit CD players sound.

Systems

I took a listen to some old Pioneer SX series stuff the other week. Still sounds good to me.

Chuck

madmax

Let me know if you decide to sell the transport, I like funky looking stuff.
madmax

AndyGwis

Madmax - will do. It actually works like new and came in the original Proceed Madrigal Labs double box with all the original fixins. I think the seller hit the jackpot and bought a killer system in 1992, then boxed it up after a year and never looked at it again. The ARC DAC and Proceed both look brand spanking new to my eye.

Bill - Thanks for your offer, but, even if I DO decide to sell the DAC, I'd be looking for paypal, cash, or other more traditional monetary fundages. If I open it up to OBO, I will consider your testicular offering.

AndyGwis

Many have inquired, so I thought I would post some actual pics and list some estimated prices should I stoop to the level of hawking any of this gear. As you can see from my showcase pic, it deserves a better home than my cramped apt can provide at this time.

ARC Dac1-20 with upgraded caps - $650 (not likely to let this go, though)
Proceed PDT II - $550 (likely to sell it on Agon, might have a lead on the matching DAC)
Classe CDT-1 - $550 (probably going to keep this but would consider selling)


Also have some spare gear that I might post for sale eventually:
Counter Point SA-220 hybrid amp (BEAST! Big and beautiful)
Cardas 300B ICs (Russman has dibs if I decide to sell)
Cardas AES/EBU Balanced Digital
EVS Stepped Attenuators
Tara Labs Prism 1M digital cable

Guess I just need to post another FM thread with this stuff once I get it all sorted out.

madmax

What type of output is used on the proceed?
madmax

AndyGwis

It has both coaxial and aes/ebu digital outputs.

Looks new. Has remote, original box, original manuals and paperwork, even warranty card if I remember correctly though probably expired . Worked great for the couple hours I listened to it, and I think it even played a few of my burned CDs without issue.

The guy I bought this stuff from said he had an offer of $600 cash on just the Proceed but wanted to sell all of it at once.

madmax

So, are you stooping to the level of hawking the Proceed yet?
madmax

AndyGwis

Madmax - PM sent.

Everyone else - I'd definitely sell the Counterpoint, just too big for my system. Have original box, a bunch of Counterpoint extra tubes, manuals, etc. It has upgraded Beryllium speaker posts and looks nearly new.

Still undecided on whether I keep the sexy Classe / ARC combo, or go with any one of my SACD players. If you really want something, let me know. I have just too much stuff right now and not married to any of it. Everything on my 2-channel rack is moveable / sellable, including the rack itself (but not the iPod, iPod Dock, of MF).

ward91

well the cd recording bit seems to be worse if u ask me just think of brothers in arms and parts of love over gold.

Tred

AndyGwis wrote: »

It has both coaxial and aes/ebu digital outputs.

Looks new. Has remote, original box, original manuals and paperwork, even warranty card if I remember correctly though probably expired . Worked great for the couple hours I listened to it, and I think it even played a few of my burned CDs without issue.

The guy I bought this stuff from said he had an offer of $600 cash on just the Proceed but wanted to sell all of it at once.

Just curious how much progress was made to transports over the last 10-15 years.

madmax

Tred wrote: »

Just curious how much progress was made to transports over the last 10-15 years.

I won't be of much help. I'll be replacing a transport of the same era with this one. I gave some thought to getting something in the $2K to $5K range (complete CD player) but I'm really an analog guy at this point. I don't think I could sink that much in a modern high end CD player with a clear conscience. I wouldn't want to anger the vinyl gods.
madmax

avguytx

I remember selling that Proceed CD transport (or a similar one) back in 1991 or so when I was working at a high(er) end shop in Tulsa. They were big time into the upper end stuff so it was fun hanging out late listening to all the setups.

How do you like the sound of that Counterpoint amp? Locally, I can pick up prior generation black version of it (SA-20) and the SA-2000 line preamp for $300 but I don't think the amp is working right and it costs big $$$ to get it back to snuff.

AndyGwis

Honestly, I haven't even fired up the Counterpoint with my rig yet. It's too big for me to hook up anywhere near my stand, I've got too much other stuff, etc.

I did plug it in and seems to be in good working order. Very clean on the inside. I'm probably going to throw it up on Agon for a grand unless someone here locally wants to give it a spin for a couple bucks less.

I've got all the original boxes, manual, replacement tubes, and with it being in great condition, I think it would fetch I high price on Agon. 200wpc hybrid amp, not many of those around.

The proceed sounds great. Definitely not a relic. Plays CD-Rs, operates quickly and flawlessly, has a remote, etc. Plus, it weighs about 30 points and you can tell it doesn't resonate / vibrate during playback.

basically, no matter the year of make. . . spins great (and quietly) + remote + flawless playback of various discs + build quality = great transport; end of story.

dorokusai

Is this a Flea Market thread or a discussion on older DAC vs newer DAC?

Proceed gear never really got the foothold it wanted to in high end and even in HT they are uncommon. Counterpoint is hoping to be bought by someone and the Audio Research is the winner of that bunch.

madmax

Its the new style 2 channel comparison shopping extravaganza thread. It is unlike anything we could have imagined in the past.

AndyGwis

Its the new style 2 channel comparison shopping extravaganza thread. It is unlike anything we could have imagined in the past.

This isn't far from the truth! My intial post was psuedo "look at the cool gear I got," quasi "let me know if you see something you like," and partially "please, please, please buy this gear. . . I have no room left in my apartment."

Way to read between the lines, Mark. Many will come to find out that I'm always selling, whether I'm in the FM thread, or even hanging out with someone. It's my blessing; it's my curse.

dorokusai

I'm even more attracted to you now....{holds hand phone to ear and whispers} call me.

madmax

Its NEW, its BOLD, its the Gwis Home Audio Shopping and Learning Network!
madmax