[mikecole]

Not sure if this is the proper circle, but the moderator can always move it if not. I was hoping to get a little advice and a get few questions answered. I had been planning on getting into PC audio in the future, but my CD player died a few days ago, so I may have to make the jump earlier than I expected to. Since the transport died on my Consonance CD120 Linear (NOS DAC) and it has no digital input, I figured I should either get a CD player with a digital input or get a DAC and a separate transport.

The player I was thinking of was the Cambridge 740C for $800, which is at my max price point. The advantage to a single box player is less wasted real estate and fewer cables and being able to conveniently play a CD with a minimum of hassle. One disadvantage is that I would need to buy a USB to SPDIF converter - not something I could afford at the moment. But since I could play all my CDs, I could save up and do the PC audio thing later. The few reviews I saw for the Cambridge seem to indicate it is a pretty good sounding unit, but maybe a little tilted up in the sound, not something I wanted to hear. If I understood correctly, it uses 32 bit processing, albeit not with the Sabre chip. I think it uses the same DAC as in the DacMagic, but not sure on that point.

On the other hand, I was looking at the threads and reviews of the Eastern Electric DAC and it sounds pretty impressive. I would have to use the CD ROM on my PC for a transport though until I could afford one - most likely a Little Dot. I could also convert a CD to FLAC and then play it from my hard drive - but that would be a hassle if I wanted to hear something right away. On the other hand, if I wanted to start doing PC audio, I would probably need to spend a bunch of time doing all the conversions beforehand anyway. Then again, sometimes I don't want to turn my PC on when I want to just listen. One thing I worry about though is that I have read quite a few threads saying that the EE DAC has a hard time obtaining lock on the signal when the setup is not just so. I would need a 16 foot USB cable from my PC to the DAC, so I am kind of leery in that regard.

I am currently using the original HRT Music Streamer DAC. It is not too bad, but a little wooly in the bass and bit rounded off on the top end. It does seem to add some humanity to the digital sound though - kind of pleasant. I am thinking that either device would be a step up in sound quality, but being that I am an analog type of guy, I am wondering if a step "up" would be rough on my old ears.

I would appreciate comments and advice from people who have gone one way or another  and especially from those that have heard any of these devices first hand. Obviously I am a bit confused as to what I really want, but I am trying to take a longer term view of things and it is looking like digital downloads will become more prevalent in the future. In the meantime though, I need to be able to play my CDs.

[Sam-fi]

If you are concerned about brightness. The Marantz SA8004 may be your ticket! It has usb and optical and spdif inputs. And if you have a dealer I bet they can let you have one for your asking price. Sources are always about system matching - often this is what matters more than any review. The Marantz also seems to match your preference for slightly smoother and involving sound.

http://us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=HiFiComponents&SubCatId=0&ProductId=SA8004

Sam

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I use to own the 740c, 840c and the Marantz SA8001 CDP's.  The 740c and 840c were very similar in sound with the 840c maybe having a slight edge in resolution.  The real benefit of the 840c was the ability to use it as a DAC and XLR (I can't remember if the 740c has XLR's).  The Marantz SA8001 (and 8003 which I auditioned  in home) are much warmer but less resolving than the 2 Cambridge units which leaned to the bright side of neutral.  The Marantz were smoother and less fatiguing but I felt that the treble was muted slightly.  In the end I opted for the 840c because of its detail and resolution.  However, I eventually sold the 840c and went with a Van Alstine Hybrid tube DAC which has tremendous air and resolution along with leaning to the warmer side of neutral with no digital edginess and fatigue.

If you are concerned about brightness and fatigue, then I would definitely consider the Marantz.  Another option would be to look at a PS Audio Digilink III DAC.  It's a killer for the price.

[mikecole]

So how does Marantz gear handle PRaT? I always hear that Marantz has a smooth sound, but does this mean that it won't make your foot tap? That was one of the pluses for the CD120, it did PRaT very well.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

The Marantz has good PRat and the SA8001 was rated Class A by stereophile magazine.  Plus it is an excellent SACD player as is the SA8003.  The Marantz has a little more prminnent low end but the bass is not as crisp as the Cambridge units. If you have a warmer system then go for the 740c. If not, then go for the Marantz.  A good friend of mine is running the 8001 with a pair of Nuforce model 9 monoblocks and a tube ARC preamp with PSB Synchrony One's.  It has a very good sound.

[bummrush]

Just a cd player suggest  look up the new Rotel ,might be for you

[JLM]

Is your intention to go PC/Mac sooner or later?  You could look for used if this would be a short term solution.  (I have an Oppo 970 just sitting around, like I suppose many who have made the switch to PC/Mas or blueray do too.)  So this should be a really good time to pick up some sort of universal player.

I tried the PC route years ago with a modded SB3 and it didn't go well.  Glitches every 2-3 weeks would leave me without music until I could stumble onto a "fix".  But I understand it's gotten better now.  However as you point out, not only must you leave the PC/Mac on, you can't just play a CD without ripping it first. 

I own a stock EE DAC and use it via AES/EBU.  It good, but is not the ideal solution for PC audio (it's poorest quality input).  It's rumored that the next version will improve on the USB input (currently doesn't do hi-resolution either).

If you thinking of switch down the road check out the Virtue Piano CD:

http://store.virtueaudio.com/product-p/vrtu-cd-pianom1-pbf-1.htm

Here's another interesting option (a professional CDP w/iPod, variable output, headphone jack, beefy power supply, steel construction, rack mountable, instant responding controls):

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-CD200I-CD-Player-With-iPod-Dock?sku=583088&src=3WWRWXMB&ZYXSEM=0

And the Tascam is modded by Decware:  http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZCD.htm

[Wind Chaser]

The Beresford 7520 www.beresford-dac.com is the cheapest thing in my system - it sells for less than what 1 tube in my amp costs and the thing sounds so darn good it absolutely kills any motivation to upgrade...

In June 2009 Affordable Audio wrote, ""In terms of sound quality, it is the best DAC I have heard under $1000... a very easy recommendation."

[mikecole]

Suggestions for a CD player without a digital input are appreciated, but probably not what I want to go for. If the transport goes out in the future, I want a box that will at least function as a DAC. The Beresford looks interesting given the price and multiple input options, but the reviews I read are all over the map, anywhere from fantastic to just so so. It does tick a lot of boxes. Pricewise, I could afford an inexpensive separate transport that I could use with it and still be able to use my PC as a source. The Beresford has a 30 day trial period and I could get the Marantz and Cambridge from Audio Advisor, also with a 30 day trial. I'll have to figure out which of these looks the most worthwhile to try out. I'd like to thank everyone for giving me some directions to look in besides the EE DAC. I certainly have more choices than I thought.

[Wind Chaser]

Fresh out of the box it's pretty under whelming but once it breaks in, it really opens up.  I was initially quite skeptical but it was recommended to me by someone who preferred it to Cambridge Audio DAC Magic, the OPPO BD83se and the Benchmark DAC 1.  I could have easily spent a lot more, but I'm glad I didn't as I see no justifiable reason why.  The value and performance is hard to believe, expecially when I consider my cables cost 5x more money.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Look for a used 840c, they are pretty easy to find on Audiogon. You may want to consider a Benchmark DAC instead if you decide to go the DAC route.  It is supposed to have a similar sound to the 840c from what I have read.  You can also get good deals on the warmer sounding PS Audio Digilink III on audiogon, usually for about $600.