Best digital under $2000...

ZooDog · « **on:** 9 Nov 2003, 03:38 am »

Hey guys,

I want to upgrade from my Cambridge Audio D500 soon so I need some suggestions for a new digital source. It can be either a single box player or a transport/DAC, but I'd like to keep it under $2000. I'm looking for a player that is not too hot on the treble and that has tight bass and good PRAT. I listen to a lot of rock and electronic music with some classical here and there.

My current speakers are nOrh 6.5's driven by LeAmp's. My preamp is an Innersound unit. The nOrh's are a little bright and I need to steer clear of anything that might exacerbate this trait, but I don't want anything that is really rolled off in the treble because I will be upgrading my speakers within a year or so.

Let me know what you think.

ABEX · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Nov 2003, 03:52 am »

I would read up on DAC's first then pick the best transport you can find for it.
Boulder,Scott Nixons and Bel Canto's look look good.

I would add a multi capable player after that.

JMO

JoshK · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Nov 2003, 04:11 am »

We (the NYC group) just spent the afternoon listening to Mike's digital vs. analog setup on a really kick ass system. He had a parasound belt drive transport (typically around $600 on a'gon) and when we hooked up Tido's $400 Ack dAck it sounded pretty damn good. It is impossible for me to make a broad based conclusion without it being in my own system, but suffice it to say it made the difference between digital and analog pretty small.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Nov 2003, 04:56 am »

If you want a single box player, I enjoyed the Rega Jupiter in my system a few years ago. Like any piece of equipment with Rega stamped on it, it absolutely excels at pace, rhythm, and timing. The Parasound Josh referenced above had a better midrange as a single box player than the Rega, but I planned to use it mainly as a tranport to drive a Bel Canto Dac 1.1, which was a really nice combination but unfortunately the Parasound did not achieve proper data lock with the Bel Canto.

Now, fast forward to today and I've been in a holding pattern on digital for a few years- waiting for an affordable breakthrough. Well, the non-oversampling aCK dACK that Tito brought over today is an incredibly synergestic combanation with the Parasound. The CEC belt drive transport is used in the reference system of the aCK dACK designer, so I think that may be a reason for some of the synergy. Anyway, if you want an organic, liquid sound that is similar to analog, THIS IS IT! The parasound/dACK together blows away the Parasound as a stand alone player- I'd bet most people at the meeting would agree with me on that. We used an Audience digital cable that also contributed to the sound (Phil, which digital interconnect was it?) However, from memory, if you want PRAT, the Rega would be better IMO.

doug s. · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Nov 2003, 05:56 am »

chris, i find your comments interesting, especially since there's someone presently selling his ack! on a-gon - he replaced it w/a rega jupiter! go figure - must be synergy, or taste. which is why auditioning is always nice, if possible...

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?dgtlconv&1073540012&2&3&4&

doug s.

Rocket · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Nov 2003, 11:05 am »

Hi ZooDog,

Looks like you have a few good recommendations already.

I don't think you have to spend $2000us to upgrade you digital system.

I haven't heard some of these dacs but they get great recommendations from audiocycle and audio asylum members:

Bolder mensa dac
Ack Dack!
Bel canto Dac 2 or 1.1
Pt p3a modwright

I Have the modwright level 1 p3a and it is excellent much much better than the stock version.

regards

rocket

sjd · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Nov 2003, 06:36 pm »

TOugh question when you factor in hirez formats. That is a judgement call on your part. But for "budget" redbook, has anyone heard that new CEC deck from Audio Advisor? Single ended, class A, XLR outs (balanced?), all for $500. I wonder how this unit sounds standalone, and as a transport. I have to think it bests its competitors (say, the Cambridge Audio or Marantz midfi, or Philips 963, etc.). But who knows eh? If I were needing a new player, and not necessarily ready to bank on SACD or something, I'd give it a hard look...

As for me right now, I think my next move will be the Peychev mod to my SACD-1000. That option is under $2K once you find a player used, and get the mod. Faring very well in shootouts, and Alex is a drive away for me, no need to trust FedEx or UPS.

Also, I would not be surprised if six months from now there aren't a couple places (EVS, Modwright, perhaps Bolder) offering mods to the new Sony AVD-500ES SACD receiver that will be hot commodities. Another year or so and perhaps there will be new all digital world killers from the budget market. It just keeps getting better and better!

ZooDog · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Nov 2003, 12:13 am »

Thanks for the recommendations, guys. I'm not concerned about Hi-Rez at the moment, just redbook. For Hi-Rez I can get Denon stuff at a discount, but I'm not crazy about their redbook performance. Now that I think about it what I will probably end up doing is using a DVD-2900 or 5900 for SACD and DVD-A and as a transport for a good redbook DAC.

Rocket-
Of the 4 DAC's that you listed, is there one or two that you think would best fit my needs?

Marbles · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Nov 2003, 12:35 am »

Quote from: ZooDog

Of the 4 DAC's that you listed, is there one or two that you think would best fit my needs?

Well I do happen to know of a Mensa for sale

It has all the latest upgrades and it has been cryo'd....the upgraded power supply was also cryo'd.

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?dgtlconv&1071412333&item

That price is very negotiable..

ZooDog · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Nov 2003, 12:43 am »

Marbles - check your PM's

audioengr · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Nov 2003, 01:20 am »

Marbles - Have you had a chance to compare the Ack DAC to the EA modded P-3A?

Marbles · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Nov 2003, 01:27 am »

Quote from: audioengr

Marbles - Have you had a chance to compare the Ack DAC to the EA modded P-3A?

I won't get the Ack! until the end of this coming week, if it is on schedule.

So far your modded Perp Tech P3a is the best one I've ever heard.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Nov 2003, 02:59 pm »

I am in (what I hope) is the final stage of getting my digital rig to a very high level. Steve @ Empirical should have my P3A tomorrow and it is going to get his full mod with Superclockk II. My P3A had the Modwright Level II mods. I already have a Sony DVP-S7700 that he worked his magic on, and I am adding his Bitmeister cable to the mix. From everything I have read, this should be it for me and digital. Hopefully I am done.

I will report back on how it sounds next week.

Steve

zybar · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Nov 2003, 04:16 pm »

Steve,

Did you post anywhere your comments on the S-7700?

Steve will have mine later this week.

What did the S-7700 replace?

GW