[Jim N.]

First I rip my CD's to .wav using EAC. Then I burn them as either 24/96 or 24/192 DVD / DVD-A disks using Cirlinca. Disks will register as DVD-A on players that support that format and also export DVD audio 24/96 via digital. Run the digital out from my Pioneer 59avi to a Monarchy 48/96 to a Paradisea. Digital cables are Blue Jeans and Analog are DH Labs Air Matrix or Blue Jeans LC1. PC are mostly Volex 17604 with some MAC Sound pipes and some Black Sand. I toggle between the 24/96 digital coax out and the 24/192 DVD-A analog out for different types of music. The Paradisea output usually sounds best.

The Pioneer cost me 500 bucks used last year. The Monarchy was also used at 175 bucks. The Paradisea was 500 bucks and the Bendix tube was 80. I am quite content with my system!

[geowak]

JLM

Thanks alot for the info. I was really surprised to learn all this new tech stuff, and it is VERY
interesting. The fact that a ripped CD onto a HD can eliminate alot of jitter and errors that CD players would add to the signal and then allowing the DAC to do the rest for great sound just blows me away.
It seems as if the CD player has replaced vinyl for average use, and now music servers are doing the same to CD!
I like the SB idea with a good ext DAC. I also like the Trends UD-10 and a good DAC. If the new
Benchmark DAC with the USB connection has good. multiple ext connections, I would go for that!

[dado5]

$100 DVD/VCR player and the  $125 Lite AH dac and I’m enjoying  the best sound I’ve had yet in my home. The NOS sound is the first really ‘different’ digital sound I’ve come across and I like it.  They are much stronger then conventional players on contrast and pace and they are more holographic in their imaging which altogether gives the sound a natural, breathing quality. They take a back seat to standard players in detail (especially with complex music), soundstage width and bass control though so they are not for everyone.

To my ears, high end CD has never really worked.   From the beginning high end machines differentiated themselves from the mass by either softening  the sound (CJ, CAL)  or going the hyper detail route (Theta, Wadia).  I listened to high end machines but none moved me. I did the Dutch tube mod player thing but that left a bad taste in my mouth.  The AH was very underwhelming and the Heart was fond of not working plus I gave up my loyal Rotel 965 in the process.  I had resigned myself  to my DVD player (which actually was a pretty nice sounding unit, the Sony DVP NS500V) until I heard an Audio Note kit dac. It was quite different and better than any CD I’d heard but it was out of the question (I used up my “honey can I have's” on those two Gouda cheese spinners).  I jumped  when the Lite AH  came out and I’ve been happy since. 

[JLM]

When going the music server route, remember that while a Benchmark DAC will sound wonderful, you'll need a screen and keyboard (no doubt in the same room) to navigate.  That's one of the advantages of SB (it can simply be on a wireless network).  Better yet an Olive is it's own computer and only uses a network for file swaps and internet streaming.

[1000a]

thats what I like about the SB my desktop PC is not near my stereo, I do not have to make more room for it, not to mention fan noise and those issues.  the remote works great from the sweet spot or if I am working at my desk, the stereo is in the next room I just work the screen in front of me to change albums or songs or even volume if I so chose.  Its really nice for both situations.  Normally I leave the digital volume fixed (for serious listening) but for working at the desk I might use it so as to not run back and forth.

[vman71]

What do you like about the sound? What did it cost you?

I have been thinking about upgrading my CD system and like the idea of the "stable platter" on the Pioneer PD-65 combined with the external DAC, like the Benchmark DAC1. How would that sound? Has anyone ever had that combination?

Thanks for your opinions.

I've got a very similar set up to what you are considering.  My front end is a custom modified EAD CD-1000mkIII feeding a Bel Canto DAC2.  The EAD is based on the Pioneer PD-65 and uses the "stable platter".  I custom modified mine by replacing all the internal wire with teflon coated silver wire, upgraded 27 critical caps to RubyCon's, upgraded the power supply rectifying diodes to Stealth soft-recovery diodes, and the Auricap tweak right after the IEC inlet.

For me, in my system, the sound of this combination is just pure heaven.  Everything I could ask for and a bag of chips!

Total cost was $1100 for the CDP and DAC and another $125 for the upgraded parts.  I did the upgrade myself, so it was just my time.

[Telstar]

Has anybody listened to the TwinDAC+?

[mark funk]

I have a Philips 3140 and a Van Alstine Transcendence-R DAC sounds alright to me!

[musicman06]

Looks like I need to update my 5+ months old posts in this thread. The stereo setup is back in the same room as the computer, and I now have a Paradisea DAC with Bendix tube.

[martyo]

I use a SONY DVP-NC600 into an AVA Ultra DAC. The Sony is just your basic DVD/CD carousal. The Ultra DAC is another story. I never believed all that information was on a CD without ANY of the digital grain, dryness, etc. that seems to be so typical.

[Jon L]

I'm still loving my PC Audio setup.  Ever since I bought a Senn HE60 electrostat headphones, I'm appreciating more the subtle nuances of tone and texture this setup provides, not to mention the usual PC Audio benefits of instant access and 24/96 file playback.

Audio PC/Foobar/ASIO->Lynx 2B with DIY spdif output jacks->Sterevox XV2 digital coax->Oritek Modified Zhaolu (Now v.4).

[geowak]

More advice needed....

Just got the Benchmark DAC (usb) model. Now I know I can rip CD's to my computer and play them via the CD drive via and EAC software. Instead of using a CD player.

And I know I can simply use a software program to start an MP3 library and download music files off the internet via some service for this. 

But what other hardware do I need now to start? Do I need a basic (unmodded) SB between the computer and DAC, even though the SB has a decent DAC.

In other words, where will I get a display for the songs, instead of looking at the computer monitor??.

Thanks

[tanchiro58]

In other words, where will I get a display for the songs, instead of looking at the computer monitor??.

The songs will display on your SB3 digital display. However, I always use my PC and/or laptop to choose my favorite songs or musics. SB3 is only a digital transport where you connect through your router wiredly or wirelessly to communicate with your music server (PC or laptop).

[Quiet Earth]

...... I know I can simply use a software program to start an MP3 library........

MP3???