Bada HD-22SE CD player + DAC
danger boy
Posts: 15,722
I recently purchased the Bada HD-22SE CDP from a nice Polkie.. and I have had it hooked up for a few weeks now. I have been very pleased with it... sound so much better than anything else i've ever owned.
Well a few days ago i decided to run two pairs of interconnects from the Bada to my integrated amp. actually, one pair from the tube analog RCA outs to one input on my amp.. then I also ran a coxial cable from the Bada to my California Audio Labs Alpha tube DAC (:D)
I was not expecting there to be much difference in sound quality. but dang it if there wasn't an improvement using the DAC.
The CAL DAC has always held a special place in my heart... and sounded much better than any stand along CDP I've ever owned.. which most have been pretty middle of the road to very low end player. The DAC always helped out.
But now having a better transport in the Bada it also helped the sound running through the DAC.
Something i wasn't expecting to happen. Given it's age and that it's a bit outdate at 18 bits compared to the Bada's 24bit DAC's. 
It helped clear up even more some of the highs, and mid highs.. instruments like acoustic guitar sounds more natual to me. More clarity, and separation between voices.. notes hang and decay smooter now.
I know I have miles to go yet in reaching my goal of having a decent 2 ch music only rig that will put a smile on my face every time I listen to it.. but I would have to say my trusty DAC + Bada CDP got me one step closer to that goal.
Now I have to just find someone here to rebuild the X-overs in the 2B's to the TL update/upgrade
Well a few days ago i decided to run two pairs of interconnects from the Bada to my integrated amp. actually, one pair from the tube analog RCA outs to one input on my amp.. then I also ran a coxial cable from the Bada to my California Audio Labs Alpha tube DAC (:D)
I was not expecting there to be much difference in sound quality. but dang it if there wasn't an improvement using the DAC.
The CAL DAC has always held a special place in my heart... and sounded much better than any stand along CDP I've ever owned.. which most have been pretty middle of the road to very low end player. The DAC always helped out.
But now having a better transport in the Bada it also helped the sound running through the DAC.
Something i wasn't expecting to happen. Given it's age and that it's a bit outdate at 18 bits compared to the Bada's 24bit DAC's. It helped clear up even more some of the highs, and mid highs.. instruments like acoustic guitar sounds more natual to me. More clarity, and separation between voices.. notes hang and decay smooter now.
I know I have miles to go yet in reaching my goal of having a decent 2 ch music only rig that will put a smile on my face every time I listen to it.. but I would have to say my trusty DAC + Bada CDP got me one step closer to that goal.
Now I have to just find someone here to rebuild the X-overs in the 2B's to the TL update/upgrade
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
Post edited by danger boy on
Comments
-
The transport in the Bada is most excellent so I'm not surprised to hear that you are enjoying it with an external DAC. I think you're getting the best of both worlds now. Enjoy!!
-
Nice gear-Enjoy!Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
Interesting. I'm gonna have to try a DAC w/my Bada.
-
Just curious... but wouldn't you be losing the benefits of the tube output? It's built like tank, so it doesn't surprise me that it works as an excellent transport.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
-
zombie boy 2000 wrote: »Just curious... but wouldn't you be losing the benefits of the tube output? It's built like tank, so it doesn't surprise me that it works as an excellent transport.
yes and no. my DAC is a tube one. so either way.. i'm heatin up some tubature PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
Congrats.....the Bada is pretty nice,then again Cal has some good build quality all it's own. Just goes to show ya,it's not all about the latest and greatest dac chip set. Enjoy.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
zombie boy 2000 wrote: »Just curious... but wouldn't you be losing the benefits of the tube output? It's built like tank, so it doesn't surprise me that it works as an excellent transport.
He's just bypassing the tube section in the Bada and using the tube section in the CAL dac."Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
