PMC/Bryston but what CD source?

Dokter_doug · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 Aug 2005, 02:06 pm »

Linn SC. PMC IB1 mains, LB1 centre and surrounds. I'm delighted.

Doug

KJ · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 Aug 2005, 03:10 pm »

Quote from: declancd7q

I agree the Brystons amp benefit with a source that has some sympathetic warmth

I'll be trying the Jolida JD100a soon so I can personally experience the warmth of tubes that some people prefer. Anyone else tried this source yet? I'll report back how it sounds with the Bryston amps.

-KJ

Yogus · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 Aug 2005, 11:50 pm »

I'm currently trying a Non-oversampling filterless DAC based on an (very) old Philips TDA1543 chip. It doesn't use an output stage.

It seems quite a fluid performer with an impressive mid-band that's free from grain. It also "times" pretty well, but not in the Naim sense. The top-end is quite free from glare and the bass is full and warm, maybe a little too full as it seems to lack a little in the "balls" department (i.e. punch and dynamics).

For about $200, (or $50 in parts DIY) it's darn good value though.

Phoenix · « **Reply #23 on:** 26 Aug 2005, 10:07 am »

I have to agree with James and Jethro though I use a more expensive player (Kenwood DP7090 - 500 €)

I think CD-Players don't make much of a difference in a setup (some people are going to kill me for this statement...).
Of course, there are bad ones but there are also many, many, MANY good ones. I actually heard a very good performance from a cheap portable player and a Linn-Setup! Quite impressive!

nirmal · « **Reply #24 on:** 3 Sep 2005, 04:44 pm »

If you want a low cost high performance source, look no further than a Benchmark DAC 1 with a Marantz PMD340 pro CD player.
Enough has been said about the benchmark on many forums for you to have a general idea of what to expect. I think it is exceptionally good value for money. Good recordings are excellent, but poor ones are just what they are; poor. You cant find any better south of £4K IMHO. After a week of continous listening, I couldn't go back to my Arcam, eventhough I initially thought the midrange sounded thin! Changing transports did not seem to make any difference.
The Marantz PMD 340 uses the VAM 1250 industrial grade CD mechanism. Internal parts are made of die cast metal, and the laser optics are made of glass rather than plastic as on most commercial mechanisms. It has a longer working life and better data reading ability, as it is designed to be used in unfavourable environments. The mechanism itself incorporates a preamplifier stage in the laser reading circuitry, for a better digital signal.
You get a balanced digital output (SPDIF on XLR), unbalanced digital and the usual balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. Build quality is rugged but not class (loading drawer is slightly noisy), typical of its pro heritage (but the buttons are way better than any consumer player). I did a few DIY home mods on mine (all mechanical, nothing to do with circuits). I haven't had any urge to change my transport, reclock it or do anything further. As a stand alone CD player, it isn't anything to write home about, but it shines as a transport. I cant think of any player/transport that has all these features at a similar price.
If you like your audio porn above all else, these are not for you. They can only be described as downright ugly! They do their job brilliantly at a miniscule price as compared to equivalent consumer models. In terms of sound per £, I would rate them both A+ but it takes a lot of self convincing that something so ugly can sound good.

Cheers

Nirmal

daninjt · « **Reply #25 on:** 5 Sep 2005, 07:11 am »

Is started out using a Philips 963 SA, then a Denon 2900 (noticable improvement).

Recently I added a Shanling SCD 200T, which has a valve output stage. Of course it cost a lot more than the Philips or Denon, but to me the sound is more full and rich than before. Lots more detail too.

I have a BP 20 and 3BSST.

Cheers,
Dan

jimmyp58 · « **Reply #26 on:** 5 Sep 2005, 10:42 am »

JoLida JD100A

declancd7q · « **Reply #27 on:** 7 Sep 2005, 01:19 am »

Nirmal, Yogus & others,

I've been hearing allot about Empirical Audio's mod of the Benchmark DAC1 - sounds very impressive: the modifications follow logical improvements to electronics and people's reviews suggest the changes are worthwhile.

Has anyone heard EA stuff before - esp the modified DAC1?

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/

nirmal · « **Reply #28 on:** 7 Sep 2005, 11:25 am »

Hi declancd7q,
I havent heared any modified DAC1's. My enthusiasm for mods has declined over the last year. I feel that mods change rather than improve the performance of a component. If you like the changes, you see it as an improvement and vice versa. IMHO you would be better off going for a different sounding component in the first place instead of spending large amounts on trying to change the sound of what you weren't fully satisfied with in the first place.
I am not a great believer in the effectiveness of small scale mods such as changing a couple of capacitors or diodes. Surely it wouldn't cost a fortune for manufacturers to implement these if they were that dramatically effective.
Regarding the sound of the DAC1 (stock), I initially thought the midrange sounded thin (compared to an Arcam CD player). The highs were amazing and I didn't find the bass lacking, eventhough it wasn't accentuated like in some other players. Within 3-4 days, my ears adapted to the new sound, and I felt that the midrange was very detailed and seperation was fantastic, but it wasn't accentuated like my Arcam. The midrange is quite recording dependant, being full in good recordings and a tad thin on poor recordings. Contrary to what appears on some forums, I did not find changing the transport or cables made any difference, but I never tried really cheap ones like portables and £25 DVD players.

If you like a very warm and forward midrange at the expense of other frequencies you are better off looking for a more suitable DAC or CD player rather than paying large amounts of money on modifications. If you like your sound phenomenally accurate to the source whether good or bad, the stock DAC1 fits the bill perfectly. Good recordings played through the DAC1 will make your hairs stand on end!

PS: I am not trying to slight large scale mods and their proponents. They just dont make sense to me at their cost, when we are spoilt for choice of Hi Fi components. Secondly, your warranty (5 years for the DAC1) is invalidated, and you end up losing everything, should something go horribly wrong. I know some modifiers provide a warranty, but I dont think it will be remotely as comprehensive as that offered by the manufacturer.

Cheers

Nirmal

nirmal · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 Sep 2005, 12:20 am »

Just adding a point to my previous post on mods. This link is quite interesting; comments by the design engineer of Benchmark http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=78848&page=7&pp=15&highlight=benchmark
It just confirms (in my opinion), that the Benchmark DAC1 was carefully thought out and designed for transparency, and that the various components were deliberately chosen for that purpose, and not cost cutting. I am no electronics expert, but it seems to me that major mods are going to change the way it was designed to sound rather than just certain aspects of its performance. I would compare it to converting a single seater race car into a twin seater cabriolet (very different but no less appealing). Possible, but is it worth the expense? Personally, I'd go for something else from start if I wasn't fully satisfied.

PS: I am not trying to slight modifiers of the DAC1, or spark an inflammatory debate. These are purely my opinions and I haven't heared any modified DAC1's in action.

Cheers,
Nirmal.

Uptown Audio · « **Reply #30 on:** 20 Sep 2005, 07:21 pm »

I agree with nirmal 'bout the mods. I have repaired and modified a lot of gear and while I can sometimes get another ounce of performance out of a piece, the money spent is generally wasted as you still have the same basic design. Going to another design is a real change, where cables and "tweaks" are just band-aids at best and placebos at worst.
Now, for what I use as a CD player with my Bryston/Focal system. I use a Cambridge Audio 540D DVD player as a transport for both music and film sound. I have a BP25 and bought the optional D/A converter when it first came out. It is outstanding and allows two inputs to be used. I use the second input for TV sound by connecting the digital output of my satellite reciever to it. So whether we watch movies or listen to CD's or even Music Choice stations on the Direct TV system, the sound quality is all Bryston!
-Bill