[Gumby]

Hi Gumby!

Okay, I see now why you think your front end needs an upgrade.

Let me fisrt touch on your amplifier and loudspeakers. I think they are very well matched to each other and also to your preferred style of music. Bryston B60 is something of an oddity and rarity in this day and age as it reminds me of Electrocompaniet amplifiers from the eighties. It is an excellent amplifier. Your loudspeakers are good too and like the amplifier, lean towards neutral fidelity with no or very little coloration. If I am not mistaken, the woofer diaphragms are made from "kevlar" and B+W in general offer excellent transient response which is precisely what you need for music styles with a faster tempo.

Now let's talk a bit about what you could do to improve the sound.

I'd suggest replacing the Ortofon Blue MM for a higher quaity cartridge. My recommendation would be the Dynavector DV-10X5. This is a high output MC cartridge so it won't present a significant drag on your phono preamp in terms of gain but it will bring many strengths of MC cartridges to your system. I think this is one of the best cartridges anywhere near it's price and you would have to spend a whole lot more to improve upon it in absolutely every category. Dynavector is fast, dynamic and delicate at the same time and it will surpass your existing cartridge in every category. Just remember to make sure your turntable is in tip-top condition before you start making any changes since only then you will be able to determine how big of a performance upgrade it was.

Also, make sure the connection cable in-between the cartridge and the phono preamp is of high quality. MM and high-ouput MC cartridges are less susceptible to variances in cables but keep in mind that voltage coming out of your cartridge is still very low and is in fact very much similar to what a pick-up on an acoustic guitar would produce. Therefore, low-capacitance and low-resistance cables must be used to ensure frequency response isn't altered because at these miniscule voltage levels, cables can act as capacitors, decreasing the high frequencies in the procoss. This is the last thing you want with a nice cartridge like this.

The other thing is the Pro-Ject tonearm. I am not familiar with the Carbon model but I think it's tonearm should be sufficiently good for a cartridge of this level. It is however best to check with your Pro-Ject dealer or the factory to see if there are any possible compatibility issues. I think there will be none but it doesn't cost anything to check before you decide.

I would also look for a replacement power supply unit for your Simaudio 110LP phono preamp. One of the key differences between a 110LP and a 310LP is the power supply. The 310LP uses a linear supply with a shielded toroidal transformer while the 110LP uses a switch-mode supply. Replacing the 110LP power supply with a nice linear type from a 3rd party manufacturer would certainly decrease the noise floor and bring it more in-line with the higher-priced Simaudio models. This is not mandatory though since your 110LP is still an excellent little phono preamp that, quite frankly, gives a headache to more expensive models from some other manufacturers.

Next, it's finally time to have a look at your digital source. The NAD C516BEE is a decent player but is, IMHO, out of it's league in your system. I recommend you get a music streamer from Cambridge Audio. A model like the CXN would suit your system nicely. This is a fully-featured digital hub with a full-color display and nice set of on-board controls that can also be controlled with a tablet. Cambridge is fuss-free, software is intuitive and easy to use and the sound is really excellent. The CXN uses a pair of Wolfson DACs and some proprietary technologies for optimum sound but you will likely forget all of those and just enjoy the music. In comparative terms, I can say without hesitation Cambdrige Audio source components have always mopped the floor with anything but the really best devices, and even then the differences were nothing to argue about. I have had a Naim ND5XS in my home for a while and the Cambdrige was simply better in every way, at 40% the cost. It was also easier to use and nicer to look at. Model like the 851N would be even better, albeit 50% more expensive than the CXN, and still half the price of something like the aforementioned Naim ND5XS.

Both the CXN and the 851N have digital inputs so you would be able to use your NAD player as a CD transport by connecting the two with a coaxial S/PDIF cable. There are better options for a CD transport but you could certainly use the NAD for that. There is a general ease of use to conventional CD players as opposed to multi-format players and especially music streamers with integrated CD rippers. These are often the cheapest kind available and I am always bothered by the chunky noises they make. It just reminds me the parts inside cost as much as a 20 € DVD-ROM drive you would buy in your local PC hardware store. The NAD is certainly better than that and is straightforward in use. Needless to say, either Cambridge streamers are better at D/A conversion than the NAD so you would be improving your entire digital front end.

I am generally not fond of music streamers but the ones I have mentioned are very compelling and comprehensive indeed.

I hope this is helpful to you and please let us know when you decide.

Cheers!
Antun

P.S. If you want clarity, forget either Harbeth or Spendor! I am sure one of these days someone is going to kill me for saying this.

Hi Antun,

Wow, what professional feedback and advice.  Sounds like you’ve been playing this hi-fi quest for a long time.  Are you a dealer?  Thanks so much. I will look into each recommendation with local dealers.

Happy to read you feel the B60 is a good match with the B&W 707. It’s the front end all along. 

The Cartridge:  Dynavector DV-10X5.   Yes, there are many great reviews on it.  Its smoothness factor combined with the clarity is just what my turntable needs. 

The Turntable:  Do you believe the Project Debut will give a decent foundation for this level of cartridge?  It’s in great shape; no worries there.  Or should I consider a step up.  Is there a turntable you recommend with the Dynavector?

Cables:  I invested in Cardas Phono Cables and interconnects last year.   I don’t recall the models, but they sound better than the previous cables.  I hope they are not causing any negatives towards your mentions of low-capacitance and low-resistance.

Woofer flapping: an annoying trait of my turntable is no matter what LP I play, my amp and speakers see a lot of low frequencies and cause the woofers to move. I use the IEC setting on the Sim 110.  This solves the problem though. The manual states that IEC is RIAA with 20 hz and below, removed. 

Phono Power Supply:  can you recommend any brands of replacement power supply? 

Phono Pre or Turntable; which upgrade comes first?, if I choose one, which gives the greatest benefit?  I ask because Sim offers an excellent credit return program within the first year. 

Digital Source:  Cambridge is well supported in my area, so I will definitely go have a listen of both the CXN and 851N.   I use Airport Express as my Streamer so I’m hoping Cambridge blows it away. 

But in relation to my original question of this post:
Is a killer CD player a worthwhile investment today, or is it smarter to upgrade Streamer and Dac?   Streaming is so convenient, but I hear so many positive reviews from higher end CD player owners.  Time I go out and listen for myself.

Antun, thanks for all your time and knowledge. 

P.S. Your bold statement about Harbeth and Spendor will boil some blood.  It’s useful information because clarity is my goal. 











I am

[R. Daneel]

Hi Antun,

Wow, what professional feedback and advice.  Sounds like you’ve been playing this hi-fi quest for a long time.  Are you a dealer?  Thanks so much. I will look into each recommendation with local dealers.

Happy to read you feel the B60 is a good match with the B&W 707. It’s the front end all along. 

The Cartridge:  Dynavector DV-10X5.   Yes, there are many great reviews on it.  Its smoothness factor combined with the clarity is just what my  needs. 

The :  Do you believe the Project Debut will give a decent foundation for this level of cartridge?  It’s in great shape; no worries there.  Or should I consider a step up.  Is there a  you recommend with the Dynavector?

Cables:  I invested in Cardas Phono Cables and interconnects last year.   I don’t recall the models, but they sound better than the previous cables.  I hope they are not causing any negatives towards your mentions of low-capacitance and low-resistance.

Woofer flapping: an annoying trait of my  is no matter what LP I play, my amp and  see a lot of low frequencies and cause the woofers to move. I use the IEC setting on the Sim 110.  This solves the problem though. The manual states that IEC is RIAA with 20 hz and below, removed. 

Phono Power Supply:  can you recommend any brands of replacement power supply? 

Phono Pre or ; which upgrade comes first?, if I choose one, which gives the greatest benefit?  I ask because Sim offers an excellent credit return program within the first year. 

Digital Source:  Cambridge is well supported in my area, so I will definitely go have a listen of both the CXN and 851N.   I use Airport Express as my Streamer so I’m hoping Cambridge blows it away. 

But in relation to my original question of this post:
Is a killer CD player a worthwhile investment today, or is it smarter to upgrade Streamer and Dac?   Streaming is so convenient, but I hear so many positive reviews from higher end CD player owners.  Time I go out and listen for myself.

Antun, thanks for all your time and knowledge. 

P.S. Your bold statement about Harbeth and Spendor will boil some blood.  It’s useful information because clarity is my goal.

Hi Gumby!

Oh, no, I'm not a dealer. I'm just a very critical person! Part of my job is to be very critical and scrutinize a project before it's realized so that no unforseen problems arise.

In terms of hi-fi, I spent a lot of money only to realize I didn't need to spend a lot of money, just more time.

I can recommend a turntable sure but I don''t really think you need a new one. After all, a turntable is really nothing to get excited about - a platter of sufficient moment of inertia and a bearing with sufficiently low resistance coefficient. The cartridge itself is the part that produces the sound and the tonearm has to make sure an optimum alignment to the vinyl. These two make a far greater impact on sound. If you get this right, only then preamp comes into play as it can bring more from the recording. It needs to amplify a signal literally thousands of times so even a miniscule amout of hiss can suddenly become significant if the preamp isn't up to the task... and only then comes the turntable itself. It has to make sure -- the platter spins at a constant speed. No one can convince me it must cost a fortune to achieve constant speed. There are electro-mechanical servos with angular precision of a 1/1000 of a degree - used in robotics, so a friggin' rotor/stator used in a turntable shouldn't cost even a fraction of a servo like this. Yet it does. Because robotics is a general industry and hi-fi is a fashion industry,

I only mentioned a streamer because in your own words, it is convenient , and because your CD collection isn't large. As amatter of fact, I am looking for a CD player as well so yes, I do believe it is still worth buying one. Where I live, CD sales have actually risen in the last few years.

Personally, I am looking for a Japanese-made player. My experiences with European brands is mixed. Some were decent, some were unacceptably flawed. Being in engineering myself, my primar focus is on equipment that is well-made, reliable and quiet in operation, performs equally well with all CDs and is made by a company that knows what it's doinjg. I never buy equipment to own it for a year and then sell it and buy something else.

If you're interested in what a turntable I'm interested looks like, look here:

http://www.sam-audio.biz

These tables are an equivalent of the best tables out there. Don't look at the price, look for what it is - a well-thought-out table with custom made everything, including the bearing.

Cheers!
Antun

[CanadianMaestro]

^ sounds like love at first post.   

[gberger]

Having lived through "vinyl" since the wind-up Victrola and RCA Victor Red Seal Records, I have ti really agree with anton with his assessment of turntables. The cartridge / arm are critical elements  The remainder are of lesser importance.

Yes, I've heard the mantras about table stability and leveling, rumble suppression, speed constancy, accurate pitch, etc. : however, given a series of decent turntables, I spent most of my time and $$$$ on tonearms and cartridges, plus the ever-exacting need for accurate tonearm setups.

Just a thought.

[Gumby]

^ sounds like love at first post.   

Hey Maestro, I’ll throw some hi-fi love your way:...I love the sound of Vienna speakers.  Heard them at TAVES a few times.   Beautiful music makers. 

Are digital files through your bdp and bda better sounding than the same music played on the Bryston CD player?

If you play an album on your analog setup, how does it compare? 

You clearly have upper end Sources for CD, LP, and Digital.  Is Bryston Digital really on par or better than your CD and LP? 

The worry I have with buying downloads is losing all my music, and money.  Backups aren’t bulletproof.  How do you deal with it. 

Being in Canada, it’s not easy to get access to all the HD music; but then I’m new to downloads.

[CanadianMaestro]

Hi gumby,

Thanks. The Vienna speakers I have are exceptional, and they were a bargain when I bought them. Nowadays, much more $$ and hard to obtain thru Canadian distributor Blue Bird. Don't know why.

Funny thing is that I've ripped most of my CDs as Flac, and many Flac rips sound a tad more spacious played thru my BDP/BDA than thru the disc/BCD. Don't know why. Maybe the 2 chips in BDA vs 1 in BCD makes a difference....

My Bryston digital end sounds better than my analog rig. But I still like LPs, just not as much, because of space and expense.

Downloads: I back up on two extra drives. No issues yet. I avoid handling the drives, as an accidental drop will ruin it. Don't let it stop you. Disk storage is cheap.

Pro Studio Masters is a good source of "hi-res", better than HD Music in the USA, imo.
Presto Classical, too.

cheers

[Pundamilia]

Hey Gumby. If you're in Canada, check out ProStudioMasters out of Montreal. They have a wide variety of HD albums available and every week there are specials. You can sign up for their newsletter to find out more.

[Gumby]

Hey Gumby. If you're in Canada, check out ProStudioMasters out of Montreal. They have a wide variety of HD albums available and every week there are specials. You can sign up for their newsletter to find out more.

Hey Pundamilia,

Thanks for the tip, but here’s a good example of the issue with Canada digital: I want to buy the new album by Bruce Springsteen...Western Stars.   I listened to it several times from streaming and decided I love the album enough to buy it.  I can easily find the CD and LP and iTunes, but not on any HD sites for Canada. 

Distribution and copywrite limitations for each country HD provider and stuff like that.   

I’m not interested in having to setup a US based VPN either.

The whole Digital experience should be simple and smooth   Maybe it is in the US and Europe, but not here.  Or it’s just my ignorance.   

This is why Streaming is so popular.  It’s easy, and with a good Dac , you get most any album your looking for, and 90% of the sound. 

Giving up 10% but gaining abundance of music, convenience, and massively affordable compared to all other mediums makes it a no brainer. 

When I’m in the mood to hear that magical extra 10% , I can drop the needle. 

Streaming for Discovery, ...Vinyl for meaty, hearty sound.   

[R. Daneel]

Yes, but 10% improvement in quality is likely the difference between a more expensive high-performance audio system and a moderately priced one these days.

Besides, on a good system, standard-definition audio sounds very close to it's high-definition counterpart. In my experience, the higher you go in quality, the difference between different sampling rates diminishes. High-performance stramers and DACs usually offer a sound that is more consistent. More affordable ones usually excel with high-definition audio but fall behing the higher quality stuff with standard-definition audio.

The "High-Res" movement is mainstream, hence the support from Warner Music and other major labels. Since the early days of vinyl and cassettes, it was never their intention to make the music sound better - there are many arguments to this - but to make the distribution media as cheap as possible. Sometimes it came with improvement in audio quality, not because they wanted it to, but because it was the inevitable consequence of technological advancement of the time.

Besides, not all high-res albums sound better, or even good, but this is not a topic that belongs here.

Cheers!
Antun

[Gumby]

Canadian Maestro
“My Bryston digital end sounds better than my analog rig. But I still like LPs, just not as much, because of space and expense.”


Maestro,

For my clarification, are you stating that the Bryston CD Player sounds better than your Vinyl Player?   If you play the same albums on CD, Vinyl, the CD wins?   

I do this test on my own system using a Project Debut, Ortofon Blue, versus a Nad CD player, and vinyl wins every time.  I know the Nad is my weak link.  I’ve often wondered if a great CD player would beat vinyl. 

I ask because I want to own albums.   I’m not on the digital download wagon yet.  I feel comfortable with physical media and streaming.   

LPs are obviously more beautiful, but I’m chasing better sound, not prettier media.  I don’t mind collecting CDs.  They are much easier to ship than vinyl.   

[CanadianMaestro]

Yes, in many instances, my digital fronts win over my vinyl rig. Better imaging especially with symphonies. There are some exceptions, however.

Just do whatever suits your ears.

[gbaby]

Hi gumby,

Thanks. The Vienna speakers I have are exceptional, and they were a bargain when I bought them. Nowadays, much more $$ and hard to obtain thru Canadian distributor Blue Bird. Don't know why.

Funny thing is that I've ripped most of my CDs as Flac, and many Flac rips sound a tad more spacious played thru my BDP/BDA than thru the disc/BCD. Don't know why. Maybe the 2 chips in BDA vs 1 in BCD makes a difference....

My Bryston digital end sounds better than my analog rig. But I still like LPs, just not as much, because of space and expense.

Downloads: I back up on two extra drives. No issues yet. I avoid handling the drives, as an accidental drop will ruin it. Don't let it stop you. Disk storage is cheap.

Pro Studio Masters is a good source of "hi-res", better than HD Music in the USA, imo.
Presto Classical, too.

cheers

Nice post. You have saved me a lot of money.

[gbaby]

Hi gumby,

Thanks. The Vienna speakers I have are exceptional, and they were a bargain when I bought them. Nowadays, much more $$ and hard to obtain thru Canadian distributor Blue Bird. Don't know why.

Funny thing is that I've ripped most of my CDs as Flac, and many Flac rips sound a tad more spacious played thru my BDP/BDA than thru the disc/BCD. Don't know why. Maybe the 2 chips in BDA vs 1 in BCD makes a difference....

My Bryston digital end sounds better than my analog rig. But I still like LPs, just not as much, because of space and expense.

Downloads: I back up on two extra drives. No issues yet. I avoid handling the drives, as an accidental drop will ruin it. Don't let it stop you. Disk storage is cheap.

Pro Studio Masters is a good source of "hi-res", better than HD Music in the USA, imo.
Presto Classical, too.

cheers

Your post has credibility. I think your BDP/BDA sounds better than a CD player because with the former, you are not dealing with the laser mechanism, motor, jitter and other issues that can cause noise.  And, with all the issues of a turntable, the BDP/BDA has to sound better than it.

[CanadianMaestro]

Nice post. You have saved me a lot of money.

Spend it on musik and food 

As for your later post re. CD spinners vs DAC/BDP, you're probably right.

[dubkarma]

Somewhat obliquely on audio quality of CD vs. computer file, downloaded or ripped from it. . .

Increasingly I find new albums I want to buy are available as uncompressed 24/96 or 24/48 .wav or .aiff files. (Often they're also available as CD and LP and mp3.) While it may be coincidental that the last two new releases I acquired—Khruangbin's "Hasta El Cielo" and Amira Kheir's "Mystic Dance"—were both available as 24/96 PCM files, it does suggest at least the possibility of a trend. Hope I'm right, though to worth remembering that a skillfully rendered recording in 16/44.1 will always sound better than a mediocre one in 24/96.

Recording at 24/96 has been almost the norm in studios for going on a dozen years. Now, perhaps, the commercial players have decided that bandwidth and storage are cheap enough, and that streaming and the like is popular enough, that it's worth offering new music in 24/96 as an option.

And while I find that CDs played on quality gear (e.g., Bryston BCD-3) are mostly indistinguishable in audio quality to rips made from them or from 16/44.1 downloads/streaming, I also find that these new releases in 24/96 are superior to the CD. Sometimes slightly, teasingly, superior; sometimes in-your-face superior.

In the end, though, it's a question of whether this becomes the norm. It should, of course, as it means we really could be listening to the equivalent of studio masters, but it doesn't mean the industry as a whole is going to sign on. . . In any case, I'm paying attention to what I hope is just the beginning of a major trend.

[CanadianMaestro]

I've seen so many classical and non-calssical albums "remastered" repeatedly over the yrs that I'm not entirely confident anymore that I'm really buying the orig "studio master".