DAC & CD Player around $1500 - new or used

Danberg · « **on:** 1 May 2005, 05:02 pm »

Looking to replace my Rotel CD player. Any recommendations for a single box unit new or used for around $1500.

Also, never owned or heard a seperate DAC. What are they, how do they effect sonic qualities, should definately consider, etc.?

Seperate DAC sonics compairable to changing interconnects in system or more dramatic? Just one more thing that effects the synergy (and possible frustration) of a system?

Kim S. · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 May 2005, 11:17 am »

I can not recommend a particular single box player. But I can give you some impressions about a separate DAC. The separate DAC basically turns the digital information on the CD to an analog signal to be amplified. It replaces the DAC that is already in the CD player. I think the idea is that as a separate component, the DAC can be more sophisticated and deliver better sound .

I use an MSB Gold DAC modded by Empirical audio. Other good ones in your price range are Benchmark, Perpetual Tech,Scott Nixon,Ack!Dac! You can read about them and single box players in the Digital Domain circle.

Now for the main point. My system is much much better with the separate DAC. The music is more dynamic, less digital sounding, clearer than through the CD player alone. I use a Phillips 935SA as a transport. Its below your price point, but still a good player. When our DAC was being modded by Empirical Audio, we listened to it alone. It actually sounded pretty good, but a little thin and uninvolving. We listened to less music those two weeks!

I would recommend you try a separate DAC,

TIC · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 May 2005, 11:59 pm »

Dan,

I've owned lots of CD players and for my system and taste, the Quad 99 CDP (not the Quad 99) is an outstanding value at $1500. It is a very good sounding CD player but also has a lot of added functionality. It has an excellent variable volume control that will let you connect it directly to a power amp (potentially getting rid of an expensive pre-amp) and it has 6 digital inputs so you can use its excellent 24bit/192khz internal DAC with other digital componets (like a DVD player for instance).

I think it is a good value at $1500 and it is an outstanding value at about $900 (+/_ $100) used. I bought mine used and couldn't be happier. It replaced a $3500 CD player. The $3500 player was marginally better, but I felt guilty having that much money tied up in a CD player. I'm perfectly happy with the Quad.

Enjoy,

TIC

warnerwh · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 May 2005, 03:52 am »

You can get a used Marantz SA 11 for that much. I'ver heard the 8260 and the sound is very very good. The SA 11 is supposed to be outstanding.

warnerwh · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 May 2005, 04:04 am »

You can get a used Marantz SA 11 for that much. I'ver heard the 8260 and the sound is very very good. The SA 11 is supposed to be outstanding.

clubmyke · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 May 2005, 03:13 pm »

have a marantz 8260 and it is pretty nice...very musical for a cd player..worth a audition

ton1313 · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 May 2005, 03:31 am »

Used California Audio Labs Alpha Tube DAC & Delta Transport. Can be had for @ $800.

This is a sweet sounding combo, very natural.

Music Maven · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 May 2005, 04:57 pm »

I sure miss California Audio Labs! I had a simple solid-state one-box CD player by them and was very satisfied. Good build, looked nice, sounded nice. They are one of the greater brands to have come and gone, IMO.

Jerry

jermmd · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 May 2005, 06:15 pm »

Quote from: TIC

Dan,

I've owned lots of CD players and for my system and taste, the Quad 99 CDP (not the Quad 99) is an outstanding value at $1500. It is a very good sounding CD player but also has a lot of added functionality. It has an excellent variable volume control that will let you connect it directly to a power amp (potentially getting rid of an expensive pre-amp) and it has 6 digital inputs so you can use its excellent 24bit/192khz internal DAC with other digital componets (like a DVD player for instance).

I ...

I like the idea of a CD player with digital inputs so it can be used as a DAC with other sources. I know the new April Music Stella CD player has this. Are there others with this feature?

Joe M.

TIC · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 May 2005, 06:39 pm »

I also previously owned the Resolution Audio Opus 21 that had digital inputs. It was excellent but cost $2500 used. I got leary of owning a $2500 digital product because they seem to lose value quickly, so I sold it. Incredibly, the resell value of the Opus 21 has remained constant for more than a year. I probably should have kept it.

The Resolution Audio Opus 21 is an excellent player and is bested by very few at any price. The Quad 99 CDP is very good too, but not quite as good. However, the Quad may be one of the best values in digital at about $1450 new or $850-950 used.

I think I've seen one of the Adcom CD players listed as having digital inputs, but I don't know the player and I don't think it is of the same sonic quality as the Quad.

Enjoy,

TIC

JoshK · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 May 2005, 06:50 pm »

The April Music Stello would be on my short list for one box players in this price range. The one box and the transport/DAC player sounded wonderful both times I heard them.

nickspicks · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 May 2005, 11:52 am »

Having just done some DAC/DECK comparrisons...and If I had $1500 to spend, I would RUN...dont walk now...I mean RUN out and buy the new Grace Design 902 headphone DAC which also doubles as a digital passive preamp (also takes analog inputs), and is remote controlled.
its the best DAC i've ever heard. Better than the Benchmark (thought that is VERY nice too).

it would run the length of your budget. But for another $200 you could get a decent UDP transport and be off to the races w/a lean mean digital front end.

Its what I plan to run eventualy. Grace 902 > Snapper mono blocks. Lean ...mean and simple.