cdp advice wanted

avta · « **on:** 4 Oct 2005, 02:33 am »

I am considering buying a modified Samsung cdp from Reference Audio Mods. Anyone have any experience with this seller or opinions about this equipment? I have a CODA integrated amp, Magnepan 1.6 speakers and a Sony DVP NS500V cd/sacd player. I'd like to keep the sacd capability. I've also considered adding a dac such as a Scott Nixon to my existing system but I'm not certain if that's the way to go. All opinions would be appreciated.

gongos · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Oct 2005, 03:32 am »

Try computer audio.

hershey 22 · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Oct 2005, 03:39 am »

Hey Avta,

Welcome aboard!! First question would be have you heard one of these stk? I have about 300hrs on my Toshiba SD-4960 which is basically the same unit and I am still amazed at how good it sounds stk. for the $47 I payed brand new for it!!

I have considered getting it modded but I have to resort to the craziness meter to add an extra $350-$700( If you want the superclock) to a $47 unit. Kind of messes up the value index for me for an incremental improvement I expect to get. I think it is extremely smooth and has very good detail especially for redbook listening.

If I were you, I would buy one of the Samsung/Toshiba units for a great price and first take a listen and see what you think. You can always get the mod if you want to. You might be surprised how much you like it stk after break-in of course. It has definitely improved with all the time I have put on it. The remote control at least on the SD-4960 is a real train wreck, however, but it's something I've learned quite easily to work around for the trade-off in sound!

It's a pretty amazing little unit for the prices these things are going for. Vibration damping is very important in these units as light as they are. Very satisfied!! Don't expect a long life span for these units but hey I've had a blast with it so far.... and then you never know. Have fun!!!

avta · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Oct 2005, 03:58 am »

Thanks for the info. Where did you get your Toshiba?

Brad · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Oct 2005, 04:14 am »

I think Hershey got his SD-4960 from HH Gregg.

I got mine from there too, but the price was $57 shipped - he caught an extra special deal. Amazing for the price.

I will get mine fired up after I get back from my honeymoon on the 17th....

hershey 22 · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Oct 2005, 04:23 am »

I bought it at H.H. Gregg out of Indy on a day when they were running a special. I think normally they are $57-$59 something like that.... and yes I am very proud of that extra $12 discount and free shipping to boot!!! If you like the Samsung better I'm wouldn't want to tell you to buy the Toshiba. However, I don't think you will get that low of price on the Samsung from what I have seen. Some people like the looks and the remote better on the Samsung. It's all a matter of personal preference.

Either way at that price point you really can't go wrong. I'm not sure but Vinnie at Red Wine might also be doing a mod on this unit. Don't quote me on that but you might want to run it by him for the heck of it. Look forward to your participation and feel free to PM me if you need any other info down the road!

hershey 22 · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Oct 2005, 04:27 am »

Congrats Brad!!!

I mean on the wedding!!! On the 4960 too!!!!! Let me know how you like it!! The 4960.

avta · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 12:47 am »

Thanks for the response gongos:
It took me a while to understand your brief response but good things sometimes do come in small packages. At first I wondered what a computer would have to do with playing cd's. Being new to AC it's taken me some time to read enough of the posts to even begin to consider your comment. The more I read the more interested I am. Were you thinking about using a SB? I know there are other ways to go but that one seems very intereting to me although I have more questions than answers at this point. I have two computers. One is downstairs in a back room where the wireless router is located. The computer there is a Pentium4 3.0 with 512 RAM and a 120GB drive. Upstairs I have an IBM Centrino notebook/wireless card with 256 RAM and a 30 GB drive. I was considering a SB2 upstairs which is where my stereo system is. Do you have any personal experience with this type of setup? Also, can you play streaming audio from the internet with this setup? Is there a way to use the larger, faster computer downstairs to store music files from cd's and control what you play from the other computer? I'm not clear about the process of converting the cd's to files. Do you read the cd's with the computer's cd drive using special software? Look at all the confusion you've caused! All comments from you or anyone would be appreciated.
Regards,
Guy

gongos · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 03:54 am »

I use a Empirical Audio Off-Ramp with a EA turbo-modded Dack!. Prior to that I had a Modwright tube modified 999es. I wouldn't trade this set up for any CD player. As for the SB, I've never used it. It's a little less expensive when modified, but I'd be shocked if it had a more dynamic presentation than my EA components. I'd be more than happy to let someone come over for an a/b.

For the money, either choice would bring you SQ hard to match with any stand alone CDP.

Yes, you can play streaming audio with this setup--at least my EA stuff, not sure about the SB.

You rip the files from your cds to your hard drive. Then you use something like foobar to play the files off your hard drive, eliminating the need for the CD--one of the major advantages of computer audio. There are many posts on this topic.

How far are your speakers for your main computer? You can run a decent length USB cable from one to the other.

avta · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 02:08 pm »

My speakers and main computer are on a different floors in the house. Thanks for the help.

gongos · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 09:38 pm »

You can use at least a 30' USB cable from your computer, when using a buffered cable.

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 09:55 pm »

Quote from: avta

My speakers and main computer are on a different floors in the house. Thanks for the help.

That's why you get a modified Squeeze Box 2 in wireless form. This device allows you to take advanatge of using your computer as an excellent transport without having to have it in the same room as your audio gear.

George

avta · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Oct 2005, 07:16 pm »

Thanks guys. I ordered a Squeezebox2 this am. Now I'll have to figure out the best way to rip cd's and to listen to streamed internet audio. I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions soon.

ctviggen · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Oct 2005, 07:25 pm »

I'm also getting a SB2, although I'm going to use it wired -- I don't want my neighbors using my wireless system. I'll be interested to compare it with my transport/ack dack to see what it sounds like.

avta · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Oct 2005, 08:13 pm »

Got the SB2 today and had no trouble getting some nice streaming audio. Now I'm ready to rip some files..flac I guess. I went to the flac site and downloaded the program but I'm lost at this point. The help file is very technical. Is there a good source for information on where to download all the necessary software to copy and play cd's that a novice like myself could understand? Thanks again to all that reply.

Guy

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Oct 2005, 09:09 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen

I'm also getting a SB2, although I'm going to use it wired -- I don't want my neighbors using my wireless system. I'll be interested to compare it with my transport/ack dack to see what it sounds like.

That's why there is encryption!

If you set up an SSID and encryption your neighbors won't be on your network.

Are you just going with a stock unit?

George