CDP crappin' out,might have to start looking for replacement soon !!

2bigears · « **on:** 3 Apr 2008, 06:21 pm »

GNSC Opus 21 player startin' to cheese me off with breakdowns.player reads and plays for 1 seconds and kicks out the disc.thinkin' on just getting a different cdp.just put a new laser in it sooo that's not the fix ???? the system is a VAC pre with DNA 500. SP Tech Revs final drive.Any ideas before i hawk this thing in the lake ???? any ideas on a new player ??

Double Ugly · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 06:37 pm »

I have two for you, Pat.

One, find a decent - but inexpensive - player, find a high quality DAC of your liking and spin away. It's probably the quickest, easiest and least expensive solution as long as you don't mind having separates.

Alternatively, if you're ready to make the leap to computer-based audio, Dan Wright's Transporter is said to compete with the very best available, regardless of price. Assuming what the proverbial "they" are saying is true, that's an awful lot of performance for your hard-earned $3600.

I hope they're right, 'cause mine will be shipped off to the great state of Washington ASAP.

Good luck with your search.

rydenfan · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 06:39 pm »

Pat, I would second the Modwright Transporter recommendation. I replaced a McCormack UDP-1 Deulxe Edition with it. And I certainly have no regrets

sbrtoy · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 06:47 pm »

Now is a great time to look at a standalone DAC with USB capability. This will allow you to continue spinning discs with an inexpensive transport and eventually make the leap to future hard drive playback if you so choose.

I have a Cary 303/300 as a demo right now because people obviously like to bring in their own music when listening to new equipment, but if not for this I would probably not have a player in any of my systems...

2bigears · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 07:03 pm »

i could try a spinner and a converter if i knew what all you need.i do know you need a cheaper cdp with a digital out.right. then a dig cable runs to the d/a converter,right ?? and that feeds your pre ?? does i got that right ???? a spinner is easy to find and pick--dig outlet of course,but where do you find the dac ???? thks

----thks guys,hi Jim

----

Double Ugly · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 07:10 pm »

Quote from: 2bigears on 3 Apr 2008, 07:03 pm

hi Jim ----

Hi, Pat.

Yes, it appears you have a good grasp of the connection requirements. If that's the route you want to take, there are a lot of options, and a couple of threads running now may prove helpful.

Again, good luck in your search!

TomS · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 07:12 pm »

Pat,

I had similar problems with my Opus 21, though it was GNSC modded. Steve Huntley did a great job debugging the drive issue, though it was very thorny to diagnose. He is one of the best, so it may be worth a shot to get it healthy again.

Tom

PhilNYC · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 07:28 pm »

The Opus 21 has a digital input on it, so you could potentially just pick up something to use as a transport to use with it...

2bigears · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 07:41 pm »

looks like i have to send the 21 for a long road trip.is a benchmark a good brand of dac ???? there is one in Toronto for 850 cash. it is 2.5 years old.or should a guy call AVA and go new.???? thks

rydenfan · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 07:52 pm »

Quote from: 2bigears on 3 Apr 2008, 07:41 pm

looks like i have to send the 21 for a long road trip.is a benchmark a good brand of dac ???? there is one in Toronto for 850 cash. it is 2.5 years old.or should a guy call AVA and go new.???? thks

The PS Audio DACS are superb, and very well priced. They can also be modded by Cullen for even gretaer performance.

sbrtoy · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 08:26 pm »

The Benchmark is a nice piece, but try to get one of the newer USB capable models if possible as this will cover you for future PC audio as well. Even the high-end rags like Absolute Sound are finally admitting the writing is on the wall for high-end CD players, and they will likely be phased out over the next five years or so to be replaced by hard drive or flash memory based solutions.

BrassEar · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 08:52 pm »

Cheapo (but great) Oppo player and then you can always get a killer dac later. This way, the transport is almost disposible as DACs rarely break (no moving mechanical parts). If anyone tells you that the Oppo is not a great transport, they must pound sand.

2bigears · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 09:15 pm »

little snooppin' round and here is the plan,Level 4 mod on the PS dac and a Music Hall 25.2 parts-X- modded spinner.how's that sound ???? once the lake melts,the 21 is going for a dip

sbrtoy · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 09:59 pm »

I'll take it off your hands for the parts, don't make it sleep with the fishes!

2bigears · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 12:44 am »

man i can't stand when things break.sooo i have a level 4 Cullen mod PS Audio dac being made,just need a spinner.can someone give a suggestion on a good transport ???? thks Opus 21 for sale....

Double Ugly · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 12:58 am »

Quote from: 2bigears on 4 Apr 2008, 12:44 am

man i can't stand when things break.sooo i have a level 4 Cullen mod PS Audio dac being made,just need a spinner.can someone give a suggestion on a good transport ????

With the DAC taken care of, don't feel you need to spend a lot of money for the transport. A lot of folks are using really cheap transports these days and getting great results. The recommendation above (Oppo) would probably be my first stop. Inexpensive, but I don't recall reading a negative comment about its performance as a Transport.

I own one, but since I'm a computer-based kinda guy, I haven't used it in my audio system. I'm very happy with it's video performance, though.

2bigears · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 01:08 am »

thks Jim,kinda scoopped this dac out of the blue,,,,hope it's ok?? just need a spinner now.some people say a low cost unit works fine.i wouls love to try this 1st.what the heck is oppo ???? thks

Double Ugly · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 01:16 am »

OPPO - click it.

I haven't heard the DAC, but I'm sure it's nice.

timind · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 01:37 am »

I'm using the Oppo 980HD with a Bel Canto DAC2. Very good sound for the $$. When I purchased the DAC2 I was using it with a Linn Genki. I preferred the DAC 2 over the Linn's dac so I sold the Linn and tried the Oppo. Hard to beat for the $$ and SACD,HDCD to boot. Actually the Oppo's dac isn't bad. Good luck.

2bigears · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 01:47 am »

thks,980 oppo sounds like it's the 1 ....