[rklein]

Hi:

I recently upgraded to Odyssey gear and the weak link is my Onkyo DVD player which I also use for my two channel listening. In talking with Klaus it was mentioned that a DAC would most certainly improve my redbook experience, even with the Onkyo as my transport.  My question is this... I have the chance to buy a Rega Planet 2000 CD player for around $350.  I would appreciate some advice on whether to pull the trigger on this deal or buy a used Channel Island VDA 1, Scott Nixon, or a used ACK!  Unfortunately, its one or the other.

Thanks,

rklein

[Florian]

I own a Rega Planet 2000 MKII in germany and i am very pleased with it. He doesnt sound like a digital source. Much more like a record. Great build quality too. I can highly recommend him.

[Audiopro]

Hi,
 My personal opinion would be to buy the Rega. However the only way to be certain is to listen to both set-ups and decide which pleases you more.

[byteme]

Are you planning on being done with the Rega or growing your system further?  If you're going to be done, grab the Rega.  It's a decent mix of transport and DAC.  However, if you think you'll upgrade in the future, get a dac and work on transport later, using the Onkyo as a transport for now.  My $.02.  

I had the original Rega Planet, only for a short time, the Channel Islands was better and the Nixon was even better yet, best I've heard.

[Zero]

I just got through demoing the Rega Planet2000 in my system.  It is a great player.  For $350, I would get it off of principle alone...   (provided it looks and operates like new).

[rklein]

Thanks for all of your advice.  

byteme - I have been interested in a Scott Nixon Tube DAC for some time but it seems that a used one is hard to come by.  There is one over on Audiogon(not a tube DAC+), but it is being bundled with a NAD 451i CD player for $545.  Also, this is a Planet2000 not the original Planet you had.  This is supposed to be a much improved player than the original.  I have also been thinking of getting the DAC and waiting a while to see what comes down the road with universal and the new technology DVD players and using one of those for a transport.  My problem is that I've heard the Rega and it does sound pretty damn good.  On the other hand I have not heard any of the DACS in the price range I'm talking about.

yours,
rklein

[byteme]

Well, it is a tough call.  The good thing for you at this point, is that not only is the Rega a decent performer, but it also holds its value pretty well.  I'm quite sure that if after a year or so the upgrade bug does bit you can always sell the rega for that same $350 and not be out anything!  Hell, that being said, buy it now and wait for a TubeDac in the future - when one finally does show up (from my experience one will go up for sale as soon as you committ to the Rega) you'll have the best of both worlds, better tunes while you wait, the opportunity to A/B the Rega and Nixon, and won't be out any more money in fact you may make a couple bucks on the Rega.

I've owned the CIA and the Nixon but have not heard the Ack.  I compared the CIA directly to the Nixon and the Nixon to the Mensa DIO.  I MUCH prefer the Nixon.  Others have high praise for the Ack, especially since it's battery operated.  I've really got no wish to change DACs.  I like the Nixon that much.  It's really a wonderful piece.  When I listened to the older Rega I found it to be less musical and revealing that I had hoped.

[rklein]

You've got an excellent point.     Thanks for responding.

rklein

[Horizons]

The Rega is a fine player. I had a Jupiter for a month or two and it is very good also. But you really owe it to yourself to try a non-OS DAC. They are pretty cheap, have great resale value, and are more tolerant of a mediocre transport.

I would buy the Ack or Nixon dacs and try for a month or two. You can sell them for almost what you paid new.  Or buy used on Audiogon and resell if you want to.

I am totally sold on the non-OS, filterless DAC technology.

[byteme]

I am totally sold on the non-OS, filterless DAC technology.

Ditto!

[rklein]

Thanks again for your opinions.  I will think on this and let my friend know one way or the other tomorrow.  By the way, what is the difference between the tube dac and tube dac+?  Also, I am a classical trained  musician (clarinet) and although it is not my main profession anymore I still play in symphony orchestras.  My problem(or blessing) is that I am right in the middle of a live performance setting and I must say that with two kids in college and my other interests, it is very very difficult to come within shouting distance of the live music experience with my "beer" budget in regards to audio gear.  I think I have made major strides with my new Odyssey gear and I thank those of you involved with this forum for helping me get a little closer to the quality audio my trained ears need.

rklein

[Florian]

Well good luck with your choice.  The Rega is a good CD Player, just make sure its the 2000 or the 2000 MKII version. Since the original Rega Planet is very soft and muddy sounding to my ears.

 

[rklein]

I just purchased a used Scott Nixon TUBE DAC+ with the upgraded 3XAC power supply from another AC member.  I am now in the market for a used 1M Stereovox HDXV Digital cable and I might order a VH 1M cryo'd Pulsar with Eichman Silver RCA's to compare to the Stereovox.   Just wanted to update those who responded to my original post.

Thanks again for your responses.

rklein

[byteme]

Congrats!  I don't know if you ever found out or not, but the main difference between the tube dac and tube dac + (from what I understand) is on the + there is a switch on the back which toggles between the "standard" setting and another setting which effectively "puts back" some of the highs, or more specifically the hiss around the highs that many people are used to hearing because of oversampling.  Since this is a non-oversampling DAC the artificial emphasis up there isn't there.  Some people (me included) find that sound to be more real sounding.  Others find it lacking in the high end so Scott offered two separate models previously.  Now he offers one and lets you choose how you want to listen via the toggle.  If it were me I'd keep it in the non-oversampling position!  This may not be 100% accurate but from my conversations with him I believe it to be pretty close.

As for cables, I've gone through about 15 digital cables and have settled on a VH Audio cryo'd Pulsar with Silver Nextgens.  GREAT cable.  Silver bullet plugs would be a great choice as well - but the nextgens do get it up to the last notch.  One of the cables I did have for quite a while was the HDXV digital cable.  While it was very nice I feel it was bettered by three or four other cables I tried, all of which were bettered by the Pulsar.

Good luck!

For grins I looked up all the digital cables I've owned.  I've also taste tested a couple loaned from Satfrat (RIP) and "Loan"wolf.  Here's the list (in order of appearance):

MITerminator 3 Digital
Cardas Ultrafast
Harmonic Tech Cyberlink Copper
Audio Magic Sceptor
Virtual Dynamics Audition Digital
Kimber Illuminati D60
Scott Nixon Digital
Audience AU24
Stereovox HDXV
Aural Thrills Digital Gold Active
Empirical Audio Bitmeister Digital (VERY nice)
VH Audio Pulsar Digital w/ Nextgen Silver

Others I've had in my system on loan

Bolder Nitro
Ridge Street Midnight Silver Edition
Acoustic Zen Silver
VH Pulsar cryo'd silver bullets

[orthobiz]

How about pairing an original Rega Planet with a Benchmark DAC-1? I also have the Musical Fidelity X-10v3. I would be using the Rega as a transport only...

biz

[rmihai0]

Which Onkyo do you have? To be honest I don't think your Onkyo is the weak link. What I observed - as better gear you have, as worst the CDs sounds (because your system will be able to reveal more the digital limitations).

Don;t worry about the Onkyo - maximum you can replace its capacitors, maybe the op-amp.