Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
alZmtbr;312247 Wrote: > Alex, you might get better results over at the Asylum... > > http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/etv.mpl?forum=pcaudio > > SlimServer, now SqueezeCenter playing thru the > SB's/Controller/Transporter is a slightly different animal then using > the PC as the source itself. > > How about the BlueCircle 'thingy'?? > http://www.bluecircle.com/index.php?menu_id=5002 Thanks for the tips. I believe I will connect a SB3 to my pc, then connect a "April Music Stello DA 220 MKII" dac to it, then I will connect the Stello dac to the Headroom preamp, Red Wine speaker amp. I believe that would be ideal (decided to go for the Sb3+Stello dac instead of the Transporter). -- alexdemaet alexdemaet's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18158 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Alex, you might get better results over at the Asylum... http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/etv.mpl?forum=pcaudio SlimServer, now SqueezeCenter playing thru the SB's/Controller/Transporter is a slightly different animal then using the PC as the source itself. How about the BlueCircle 'thingy'?? http://www.bluecircle.com/index.php?menu_id=5002 -- alZmtbr alZmtbr's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8773 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Please note that my HeadRoom Balanced Home has a built-in dac (I don't know about the quality of the dac but I believe it's quite a good dac). Thank you for your advice. Since the Transporter is a bit more expensive. I would try to ask some advice about "Emu 1212m pci" sound card http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=505&subcategory=491&product=9872&nav=features and "Lynx L22" sound card http://lynxtwo.com/lynxl22.html . I believe I would be able to connect the Lynx L22 to my HeadRoom Balanced amp via XLR (balanced). I am not sure if that would be possible with the Emu 1212m (though I can read it has balanced outputs - not XLR but RCA I believe). -- alexdemaet alexdemaet's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18158 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
alexdemaet;312002 Wrote: > Please note, this is my first time on this forum. > Sorry but I haven't figured out yet what "sb3" means. Is it an > amplifier, Creative sound card? > I would be very interested to upgrade my pc to a very decent music > server. > I have upgraded everything, except my source. If anyone could give me > some advice/tips on how to upgrade my pc? No need to upgrade, if you want XLR, just get a Transporter, as easy as that! by the way, SB3 means "squeeze box 3" the number 3 refers to the version, which is the latest. an SB3 or Duet dont give you the balanced option... -- GuyDebord Verity Audio Tamino X2 wired with v/d Hul Inspiration, REL Strata5. AMPS: Pathos Classic One MKIII's in mono config. ANALOGUE: Clearaudio Ambient CMB, Satisfy Carbon & Lyra Helikon SL, ASR Basis Exclusive phono preamp, link: AcousticZen Silver Reference2 XLRs. DIGITAL: SlimDevices Transporter, link: WireWorld SilverEclipse 5.2. POWER: Isotek MiniSub GII, Isotek Elite cables (MiniSub, Rel), Siltech SPX30 MKII (ASR), v/d Hul Mainstream (Pathos) & v/d Hul Mainserver (Transporter). GuyDebord's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14587 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Please note, this is my first time on this forum. Sorry but I haven't figured out yet what "sb3" means. Is it an amplifier, Creative sound card? I would be very interested to upgrade my pc to a very decent music server. I have upgraded everything, except my source. If anyone could give me some advice/tips on how to upgrade my pc? I would really appreciate it. I would like to use my desktop pc as a balanced source (if possible). This means that I would like to connect my pc via XLR to my Headroom Balanced Home (headphone) amplifier (this amp can also be used as a preamp). I have some decent audio parts: Headphone Inventory: 2x AKG K-1000 Stefan AudioArt hard-wired, recabled Headphile Grado GS-1000, balanced recabled Headphile UltraSone Ed 9 (wts), balanced Alo Audio Grado sr225 Headphone Amp Inventory: preamp/amp: Headroom Home Balanced; Akg K1000 speaker amp: Red Wine Audio Signature 30.2; amp: Yamamoto HA-02 (sold); A/V receiver: Harman/Kardon AVR147 (dolby headphone); portable amp: Meier Corda Move, Alo Vcap Source Inventory: iMod, Creative X-fi desktop pc -- alexdemaet alexdemaet's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18158 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Well, I just received my cambridge audio 840c tonight. Using it as a DAC (as well as a CD player) it just sounds awesome. My wife could tell the difference 1 floor away. I was considering the usual suspects; the Benchmark, the PS Audio and the Lavry. I will admit to not having heard any of these and they may sound great; but I am really happy with the 840c as a dac. And the cd player is an added bonus. -- wendellkb wendellkb's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17276 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
BetterDAC;259125 Wrote: > I really like your choice of the 840C as an external DAC. Its technical > specs are fantastic. It has dual Analogue Device's DACs which are way > better than the single DAC included in the SB3 or even the Transporter. > It upsamples to 384kHz/24-bit which is exceptional, and it has a heavy > duty power supply. All that for $500 less than a Transporter and it > includes an excellent CD Transport. Although one of the purposes of > going to streaming media is to obsolete the need for a CD player, I > think most people still want to keep a CD player around, even if they > use it less. > > Great value, and a smart purchase in my opinion. I'm using an 840c with a Squeezebox Duet. Excellent. Beat a Meridian player which preceeded it and I prefer it to the Perpetual Technology DAC/Upsampler. Another one to consider is the Quad CDP2. -- HectorHughMunro HectorHughMunro's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=16514 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
loxllxol;302059 Wrote: > So if I'm reading this correctly, you're using an external DAC with the > Logitech Transporter? Not quite, I have a SB3. The transport I'm referring to is the CD transport. From my experience, the sound I'm getting with the CD transport and DAC is different than using the SB3 as a transport with the DAC. -- silverarrows silverarrows's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14641 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
silverarrows;301229 Wrote: > Wow, so many ways to go. Just find what's right for you. Here's my bit. > I currently have a Micromega Drive 1 and Micromega DAC 1. My SB3 is > connected via S/PDIF to the Micromega DAC1. I ripped a CD in FLAC, and > WAV and played it through the DAC. It was good but not the same as > playing through my transport. Forgetting about jitter and all of the > other stuff, Micromega has a certain sound, and this is fully captured > when I use the transport/DAC combo. So, that threw out my plans a bit > as I'll probably be listening to my CDs through the transport rather > than SB3 and I'll be using the SB3 mainly for internet radio, and other > MP3s. That said, I did have a California Audio Labs CL-15 which had a > coax in and also a Unico CD which also had a coax in and was a tube > player. So if I'm reading this correctly, you're using an external DAC with the Logitech Transporter? -- loxllxol loxllxol's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17514 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Wow, so many ways to go. Here's my bit. I currently have a Micromega Drive 1 and Micromega DAC 1. My SB3 is connected via S/PDIF to the Micromega DAC1. I ripped a CD in FLAC, and WAV and played it through the DAC. It was good but not the same as playing through my transport. Forgetting about jitter and all of the other stuff, Micromega has a certain sound, and this is fully captured when I use the transport/DAC combo. So, that threw out my plans a bit as I'll probably be listening to my CDs through the transport rather than SB3 and I'll be using the SB3 mainly for internet radio, and other MP3s. -- silverarrows silverarrows's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14641 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;257005 Wrote: > But doesn't a good CD player still beat the sound quality of FLAC or > some other lossless from the media server hooked to the system? That's > probably the only reason why I'm opting for the CD player. Sound > quality is what matters for me, and if the SQ doesn't suffer, I'd > gladly build a media server for myself! Linn has demonstrated the superiority of the music server playing FLAC files compared to a CD player playing silver discs. I have heard comparisons of their best CD player with their best music server (and the next best hardware) at the rocky Mountain Audio Fest and at a local dealer. SQ is better from the music server IMHO. I'd urge you to buy a high-quality DAC to use with the Squeezebox (and a CD transport, if you must) or buy the Transporter. The computer doesn't have to be expensive. I put Windows Home Server OEM on a cheap system cobbled together of parts from Fry's Electronics, which is already more elaborate than need be done to use the Squeezebox. Get a wireless router with the best range to make life easier when siting the Squeezebox. There are many reasons that good sound from CD players is expensive to obtain. The whole model of CD playback in real time is flawed and thankfully it's been made passe by music servers like the Squeezebox. -- curbfeeler curbfeeler's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=17154 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Phil Leigh;281785 Wrote: > Stage Height? I would prefer stage "high" to stage height. -- tomjtx tomjtx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7449 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
I heard people praise a cheap cdp, HD 970 , which apparently has excellent price to quality ratio, as cd player with dac input. But the Azur mentioned above probably is a higher league. -- COOLGUY COOLGUY's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=16842 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
haraldo;281868 Wrote: > Stage height may be very popular indeed, ask Mira Craig, a Norwegian > artist She really experienced stage height, when she at a concert > dived unto the audience, and there were no one to catch her, she broke > both her knees > At the risk of heading OT, see also Roisin Murphy, who came off second best to a chair recently (cracked eye socket) during a particularly energetic performance. -- Siduhe Siduhe's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=723 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
JimC;281857 Wrote: > Isn't that a measurement of how far the band was above the floor of the > concert hall? > > I think the proper measure (here in the U.S.) is a unit called > "inches". The stage height can be determined by sampling the floor > (careful of the spilled beer) and using an analog device called a tape > measure to determine the height of the stage, expressed in inches. > > This measure is especially important in punk/deathcore/rage music where > stage diving is popular. Not compensating for stage height can lead to > severe facial distortion, especially if you don't have a big crowd at > your gig. > -=> Jim Stage height may be very popular indeed, ask Mira Craig, a Norwegian artist She really experienced stage height, when she at a concert dived unto the audience, and there were no one to catch her, she broke both her knees Is that what you mean by stage height? 8 feet is that enough? Cheers Harald N -- haraldo Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop / SC7 -> SB3 -> Benchmark DAC1 -> Krell KAV400xi -> Meadowlark Kestrel2 / Duntech PCL-15 Everything is difficult before it's easy haraldo's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13472 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Phil Leigh;281785 Wrote: > Stage Height? Isn't that a measurement of how far the band was above the floor of the concert hall? I think the proper measure (here in the U.S.) is a unit called "inches". The stage height can be determined by sampling the floor (careful of the spilled beer) and using an analog device called a tape measure to determine the height of the stage, expressed in inches. This measure is especially important in punk/deathcore/rage music where stage diving is popular. Not compensating for stage height can lead to severe facial distortion, especially if you don't have a big crowd at your gig. -=> Jim -- JimC "well, she wasn't all of that, but she sure was some of that." -- BKlaas' college buddy JimC's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9428 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Anne;281362 Wrote: > sefdivider, just a hint for you. > If you want cheap unbeatable performance, get a Behresford MK VI dac, I > have seen people delling their Benchmark because of it. > If you dont like the look of the Behresford, hide in in a closet! > Try it out, its dirtcheap, and you can easily sell it again if you > want. Its a win-win situation. > I very very rarely use my dvd/cd player, a Philips 963SA with mods, but > when I do I run it through my Bryston dac. Cd players are obsolete. > The Philips is upgraded with 2 XO3 clocks, AD1866 and Black gate > capacitors, and my Bryston delta-sigma upsampling dac beats the pants > of it, no surprise when looking at the price difference. The bass is > phenomenal, stage height a whole new ballgame, instruments timbre, > details, startling clarity, everything is better. Stage Height? -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber & Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
sefdivider, just a hint for you. If you want cheap unbeatable performance, get a Behresford MK VI dac, I have seen people delling their Benchmark because of it. If you dont like the look of the Behresford, hide in in a closet! Try it out, its dirtcheap, and you can easily sell it again if you want. Its a win-win situation. I very very rarely use my dvd/cd player, a Philips 963SA with mods, but when I do I run it through my dac. Cd players are obsolete. -- Anne Squeezebox 3 > Stereovox XV2 > Bryston B100-DA SST > Martin Logan Aeon I > Sennheiser HD580 Precision Anne's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10071 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;272922 Wrote: > A little update... Well, I started this thread & I'm happy to report > that I decided to go with SB3 running through Cambridge Audio 840C. I > was too lazy to build a noiseless PC... that project is still on hold. > > I still like the idea of having a standalone CDP with my audiophile > system. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't see that being a negative. > There are some CDs I'd like to take the effort to burn into HD > carefully, going through EAC and labelling the files, but there are > some I'd rather just pop in the CDP here & there. You can't beat > versatility. > > Cambridge Audio 840C can be had now for around $1100 - $1200, so it > puts it on par with Benchmark DAC, more or less. So for similar price, > you also get an excellent CDP, which is a huge plus. I haven't A-B'd > them, but 840C stacks up well. It uses two Analog Devices chips per > channel as DAC: that's 4 altogether... pretty killer if you ask me (I > think Benchmark also uses AD DAC chip? I know that many Esoterics do.) > Plus upsampling to 24/384. Really heavy-duty power supply. And in the > end, all I know is that the music from SB3 sounds fantastic going > through 840C. Hopefully later down the line, I'll get to compare > directly with Transporter. How does the Cambridge playing the CD compare to the SB3 playing through the Cambridge's DAC? -- upstateaudio upstateaudio's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9577 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
These posts have got me thinking. Now I'll have to drag my feels like ~100lb computer downstairs and see how my SB3 sounds going through my SB Audigy 4 setup. Hum, SB3 to SB4.. This Cirrus Logic CS4398Â DAC upsamples to 192KHz with a S/N ratio of something like 120DB. -- NoFlyZone NoFlyZone's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15336 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
I used a Cary 303/200 CD player, which has a coax. input, with an SB for a long time -- works really well. I think the Cary is a great value. -- rblnr rblnr's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4504 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;272922 Wrote: > A little update... Well, I started this thread & I'm happy to report > that I decided to go with SB3 running through Cambridge Audio 840C. I > was too lazy to build a noiseless PC... that project is still on hold. > > I still like the idea of having a standalone CDP with my audiophile > system. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't see that being a negative. > There are some CDs I'd like to take the effort to burn into HD > carefully, going through EAC and labelling the files, but there are > some I'd rather just pop in the CDP here & there. You can't beat > versatility. > > Cambridge Audio 840C can be had now for around $1100 - $1200, so it > puts it on par with Benchmark DAC, more or less. I haven't A-B'd them, > but 840C stacks up well. It uses two Analog Devices chips per channel > as DAC: that's 4 altogether... pretty killer if you ask me (I think > Benchmark also uses AD DAC chip? I know that many Esoterics do.) Plus > upsampling to 24/384. All I know is that the music from SB3 sounds > fantastic. Hopefully later down the line, I'll get to compare directly > with Transporter. I bet is sounds great, and is seems like it has exactly what you are looking for as far as functionality at this point.I am curious, does the 840C have a mode where it will detect input from the SB automatically, or is it a manual selection mode on the 840C to select from the built-in CD player to the external input for the SB? If it is not automatic, is it a fast switchover or cumbersome? Just a nice to know. Again, contrats on your purchase... Once you get your media server going, I bet you will grow to like that mode of listening the best :) -- jt25741 SB3->AR Masters Coax -> PS Audio DLIII (Cullen L3) -> Cardas Golden Reference XLR -> Sim Audio P-5 -> Cardas Golden Reference XLR -> Sim Audio W-5 -> Cardas Golden Reference Hi-Mid,PS Audio Xstream Plus Low-> Magnepan 3.6R jt25741's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
A little update... Well, I started this thread & I'm happy to report that I decided to go with SB3 running through Cambridge Audio 840C. I was too lazy to build a noiseless PC... that project is still on hold. I still like the idea of having a standalone CDP with my audiophile system. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't see that being a negative. There are some CDs I'd like to take the effort to burn into HD carefully, going through EAC and labelling the files, but there are some I'd rather just pop in the CDP here & there. You can't beat versatility. Cambridge Audio 840C can be had now for around $1100 - $1200, so it puts it on par with Benchmark DAC, more or less. I haven't A-B'd them, but 840C stacks up well. It uses two Analog Devices chips per channel as DAC: that's 4 altogether. (I think Benchmark also uses AD DAC chips? I know that many Esoterics do.) Plus upsampling to 24/384. All I know is that the music from SB3 sounds fantastic. Hopefully later down the line, I'll get to compare directly with Transporter. -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Too many posts to read them all. My apologies if I'm repeating something already stated here My experience is that a high quality ripping (meaning EAC) and SB3 + Benchmark DAC1 beats even upbeat CD players, so who needs a CD player anymore. Guess the Transporter will be even better as this DAC beats the Benchmark DAC1. Buying a CD player now is perhaps going backwards. Once you get used to the convenience of the SB3 or TP you'll never want to use a CD player... I'm using an Asus Eee 2lbs subnotebook as remote for the SB3, can't be any more convenient than that Regards Harald N -- haraldo Suse Linux / SC7 -> SB3 -> Benchmark DAC1 -> Krell KAV400xi -> Meadowlark Kestrel2 / Duntech PCL-15 Everything is difficult before it's easy haraldo's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13472 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Hi Phil, What are you comparing? 1. Are you using the set up I've seen elswhere described on this forum: where the Hammerfell is set up to replace the SD3's DAC? Or 2. Are you saying that playing softsqueeze via the Hammerfall alone is better than the SB3? Is that through ASIO? If the latter, I'm curious how the softsqueeze through a very good sound card compared to the native SB3. Hope I'm making myself understandable. Thanks, George -- gsawdy gsawdy's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14330 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
I've used all of the cards mentioned in this thread quite extensively and they are all good - very good in fact. The one that is missing is the RME Hammerfall which is my personal fave - albeit overkill for stereo playback! The Echo devices are great as is the Lynx. It is certainly possible to build a very high quality PC audio server using these cards. IMHO it is possible to exceed the analogue quality of an SB3 using these cards. SB3+DAC is harder...SB3 (modded) to wordclock-enabled DAC is harder still. I haven't heard a Transporter so can't comment on that option. These cards are Pro quality...which means they haven't been particularly "voiced" like domestic DAC's. Some will like that - others won't, -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber & Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Hi NB, Would you please PM me as I have a question about the L22. Hope you see this and its not too inconvenient. Thanks George -- gsawdy gsawdy's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14330 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
I have been looking into pro DACs. My concerns are with a whole house system, but if you are thinking of Lynx cards you might want to consider the EMU 1616m (external) or the 1212m (internal). http://www.emu.com/products/category.asp?category=505 I'm not disputing that the Lynx are top notch but these are equivalent or very close and a lot cheaper. You might want to check on ebay also for both the EMU and Lynx. Pros seem to buy and sell a lot. Here is a review of the 1616m with comparisons to the Lynx Two. http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/proaudio/emu-1616m.html Good Luck with your search. George -- gsawdy gsawdy's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14330 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;256802 Wrote: > Hi. My 1st post here! I'm building a fairly hi-fi system (either Leben > CS600 integrated or Pathos Classic MK III for amp, Devore Super 8 > speakers) and was looking to purchase a CD player. I also purchased a > SB3 last month (not hooked up to anything yet), and I wanted to use a > CD player as its DAC rather than going through a stand-alone DAC, like > Benchmark or Bel Canto. I don't know if that's such a good move, but I > believe that the lesser interconnects, the better the SQ... which is > also the reason why I'm going the route of integrated amp rather than > the separates. > > Anyways, can you recommend some great CD players with digital input so > that I might use it as DAC for the Squeezebox? I'm already looking to > try the Cambridge Audio 840C, of which DAC I'm told is excellent. I > also heard good things about Luxman and Accuphase models (which would > pair perfectly with the Leben amp should I decide that over the > Pathos.) > > I'd appreciate any recommendation/solution. Thanks! I really like your choice of the 840C as an external DAC. Its technical specs are fantastic. It has dual Analogue Device's DACs which are way better than the single DAC included in the SB3 or even the Transporter. It upsamples to 384kHz/24-bit which is exceptional, and it has a heavy duty power supply. All that for $500 less than a Transporter and it includes and excellent CD Transport. Although one of the purposes of going to streaming media is to obsolete the need for a CD player, I think most people still want to keep a CD player around, even if they use it less. Great value, and a smart purchase in my opinion. -- BetterDAC BetterDAC's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14931 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Phil Leigh;257967 Wrote: > NB - using the DAC clock to drive the transport gives the best possible > performance in a digital system, since you no longer have to rely on > the clock recovery embedded in the SPDIF/AES... > You should try it ASAP and report back. > There are some intermittant issues with externally clocking the TP but > Sean and the team are working on them . I fully agree. Using the dac as master clock and setting the transporter to slave gives a great performance. Huge difference compared to a setup where transporter is master and dac is slave. I am really looking forward that Sean is resolving the mentioned issues. Does anybody know when a new firmware with the improvements will be available? -- mofuv mofuv's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13768 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
GuyDebord;257896 Wrote: > This wouldnt be much of an issue if the D/A conversion and clocking was > done outboard, but if you only use a regular computer and soundcard > combo (as you plan to), all the critical phases of digital conversion > will be affected by the poor (in audio terms) assemblage of the > computer. All professional studios that I know utilize OUTBOARD clocks, > buffers, regulators and converters with specific built qualities for > their purpose, cabling, pro racks, expensive grounding and vibration > isolation systems, etc. Guy Debord, I don't know if you read the article in December 07 issue of The Absolute Sound. It was on using a custom built PC as source, written by Karl Schuster, who is the President of Empirical Design, maker of hi-fi interconnects and speaker cables that won many awards. He used the Echo Gina3G card, which allows the D/A conversion, clocking to be done outboard through an external chassis even while it connects to the computer via small internal PCI card. http://echoaudio.com/Products/PCI/Gina3G/index.php Schuster writes in the TAS article that this electro-mechanical isolation resulted in gains across the board: "improved linearity and extension at the frequency extremes; a more nuanced rendering of instrumental timbres; startlingly superior reproduction of the decay of notes into a more enveloping ambient space; and a more holographic sense of dimensionality and body." The article also goes into some detail on how to optimize the PC to bypass Windows XP's kernel mode, etc etc... He finally concludes that the sound through this custom PC config rivalled or surpassed the playback of CD players costing thousands of dollars; he mentions Goldmund, Linn, Ayre, Marantz and Rega. He also seems to have done AB tests on his skeptical friends, who came away impressed. I don't think it's an empty boast, as he has no reason to be partial to PC as source. In fact, he should be a proponent of optical sources, as he makes most of his $ on interconnects. His credentials, too, are impeccable. He was the U.S. Customer Svc Director of Goldmund, and founded a company called Metaphor Acoustic Designs with loudspeaker designer Gerry Boyd, before launching his Empirical Design company, making innovative cables & interconnects. He seems well qualified to comment. Robert Harley, too, agrees that Karl Schuster's solution of rolling your own custom PC server with no S/PDIF interface is an ideal solution, if done right, that it delivers better sound than optical disc, for sure. Everyone has his own opinions on this matter. But I think there's enough proof out there that PC server, if built to ideal specs, is more than a worthy pursuit. And I don't think audiophile builders like NewBuyer would really go for the "regular" cheap PC cases & components that are loud, improperly built. That would be putting it too reductively. I don't know much about PC servers, but even I know just enough to take care, study, & research with zeal so that it wouldn't be a blemish in my audio system. I'll be using Zalman's TNN 300 noiseless case which would eliminate all fans, and would run virtually silent. It costs a bit above $500 (used to go for $700-800 just 2 years ago), but it seems ideal for an audiophile server. I'd have 2TB in the system, and I'm also going to optimize the system using some of the methods I ferreted out here and there, and will finally try the Echo Gina3G; I'll also try out Lynx L22 card later to do AB test. This PC will link directly to either the Plinius 8150 or Pathos Classic. http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=176&code=020 I'm not married to the PC server solution, as I've decided to save up and set up a different system in my study with Leben CS600, with a typical CD player & perhaps a Transporter. This 2nd system will be months down the line, but I'll get a chance to really test the two systems objectively, in my home. I don't think we lose either way. Just very excited... P.S. - NewBuyer, if you can, can you email me? [EMAIL PROTECTED]; I'd like to run some components by you for my system, for your input. If you're busy enough, don't worry about it. -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Phil, thanks for the tip! Should be fun to try. Do you think it would exceed that of using the L22 onboard clock and SRC? GuyDebord, I do understand your doubts and your trusts, and I also completely respect your opinion and position. I still hope you will have a real chance to try the PC-as-source and see what you think/hear from it. Thank you for sharing your ideas and info with me, I really appreciate it. I'll keep accepting your good luck wishes too - gratefully! :) -- NewBuyer NewBuyer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7862 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer;257965 Wrote: > Phil, thanks for the tip! Should be fun to try. Do you think it would > exceed that of using the L22 onboard clock and SRC? > > GuyDebord, I do understand your doubts and your trusts, and I also > completely respect your opinion and position. Thank you for sharing > your ideas and info with me, I really appreciate it. I'll keep > accepting your good luck wishes too - gratefully! :) NB - using the DAC clock to drive the transport gives the best possible performance in a digital system, since you no longer have to rely on the clock recovery embedded in the SPDIF/AES... You should try it ASAP and report back. There are some intermittant issues with externally clocking the TP but Sean and the team are working on them . -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber & Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer;257912 Wrote: > > > It seems you are saying (I'm simplifying) that an audio source good > enough to be a vital link in a more complex professional studio music > production system, couldn't also be just as excellent in a simpler home > stereo music reproduction system. Which doesn't make sense to me(?) but > perhaps I'm missing something. > NewBuyer: Also not being confrontational and to resume what I said in the previous post: I doubt a typical homebrewed computer (flimsy case, very basic power supplies, less than standard cables, bad rfi/emi shielding, etc.) is as good as a precisely engineered AUDIO component, especially in the critical process of d/a conversion where you already have an analogue phase present. But, hey, I can also use Mastering software to tweak the music I buy, or a Multichannel recording deck at my home, or any other professional tool available, but I have preferred to build a home hifi system, which is what makes sense to me, since I dont have the skills, time and money to build a studio and personaly Ive never understood do-it yourself, non-engineered hybrids / experiments, when companies spend millions of euros (dollars) in research and development of their products, somehow, (even if I have my reservations against many corporations), in this issues, I trust them more. Probably is a cultural difference... Anyway, again, I wish you good luck, -- GuyDebord Reference 3A Royal Master monitors biwired with van den Hul Inspiration, REL Strata 5 sub. AMP: Pathos Classic One MKIII. ANALOGUE: Michell Gyro SE, Technoarm & Lyra Helikon SL cartridge, ASR Mini Basis SQ phono preamp, link: WireWorld Silver Eclipse 5.2. DIGITAL: MacMini, SlimDevices Transporter, link: van den Hul The Second XLRs. POWER: Isotek MiniSub GII, Isotek Elite cables (MiniSub, Rel), Siltech SPX30 MKII (Transporter), van den Hul Mainstream (Pathos) & van den Hul Mainserver (ASR). GuyDebord's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14587 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer, Are you using the L22 as a DAC? If so, given that the L22 has word clock, you should clock-sync the TP to the L22 so that the L22 is the master clock and is controlling the TP. You should try this asap witht he included L22sync cable! -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber & Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
GuyDebord;257896 Wrote: > ...for any studio, the soundcard is just a piece of the system... > Typical computer power supplies are not really made for audio > reproduction nor any of its internal components... professional studios > that I know utilize OUTBOARD clocks, buffers, regulators and > converters... that are very different than our comparatively simple > Hi-Fi systems and generally require a much greater engineering and > monetary investment... a computer-soundcard combo wont do the trick as > well as a good Hi-Fi d/a converter and player (i.e. Transporter)... GuyDebord, not being confrontational (I promise) but want to make sure we're following each other here: It seems you are saying (I'm simplifying) that an audio source good enough to be a vital link in a more complex professional studio music production system, couldn't also be just as excellent in a simpler home stereo music reproduction system. Which doesn't make sense to me(?) but perhaps I'm missing something. Yes in fact I have built computers for a very long time (much longer than my interest in high quality stereo) and I'm very familiar with all the usual suspect, and also very reasonable sounding, concerns with PC-as-source that you've mentioned. However I've also often skeptically read pro-audio users reporting that those concerns are primarily a myth and don't prove to actually be real-world concerns at all - but as an experienced computer builder, I always simply assumed the arguments and perspective of the side you've described. However now that I've actually (and finally) tried it, I am very pleasantly surprised to find that those PC-as-source worries really aren't issues after all, when using a genuinely top-notch soundcard. Obviously this presumes the PC is otherwise well assembled and solid, which is reasonable to assume (in my view). My most recent 3 configs tested included Transporter analog direct (which sounds fantastic btw), Transporter feeding an L22 card with AES/EBU, and SB3 feeding an L22 card with S/PDIF. The last two configs including the L22 card, were to us very clearly the best (this is *obviously* an entirely subjective conclusion), and these last two configs were also virtually indistinguishable sonically, to the ears of my wife and I - so naturally, the SB3/L22 combo currently gets our personal pick. I would never have anticipated this outcome, had I not actually tried it myself - especially since it involves an S/PDIF conversion which I was previously happy to avoid. However, hearing is believing for me, even if in this case it deviates so strongly from my expectations. Hope you might get a chance to try it out too - and thanks for your wish for good luck. :) -- NewBuyer NewBuyer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7862 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer;257820 Wrote: > > GuyDebord you certainly can still enjoy a great soundcard - especially > a 2-channel one - without setting up a pro studio! :) The sound quality > of this particular Lynx card is phenomenal, and so far I'm finding it to > work very well with an SB3. NewBuyer, I dont disagree with the glorious joys a soundcard can bring or any decent playing device. My point is that for any studio, the soundcard is just a piece of the system, just as for most hifi enthusiast a cd-player is a component of a system, the thing is that both systems follow very different steps to achieve the goal of a satisfying reproduction (or recording). In my "HiFi" system I use different devices and technics to gradually pursue my goals: I use a power conditioner and distributor made specifically for component audio reproduction, I buy components that are precisely isolated, with good power supplies and made to play music and function in synergy with my other components, The equipment I use permits me to use carefully selected analogue and digital connectors (interlinks) as well as power cables, the audio rack I plan to buy in the near future is made to better isolate the equipment, all of this and more to get the best I can from my SYSTEM. The soundcard also needs systematic treatment. Typical computer power supplies are not really made for audio reproduction nor any of its internal components (i.e. no vibration and power isolation...). This wouldnt be much of an issue if the D/A conversion and clocking was done outboard, but if you only use a regular computer and soundcard combo (as you plan to), all the critical phases of digital conversion will be affected by the poor (in audio terms) assemblage of the computer. All professional studios that I know utilize outboard clocks, buffers and converters with specific built qualities for their purpose, cabling, pro racks, expensive grounding and vibration isolation systems, etc. that are very different than our comparatively simple Hi-Fi systems. All that Im trying to say is that a computer-soundcard combo wont do the trick as well as a good Hi-Fi d/a converter and player (i.e. Transporter). Good luck with your hybrid experiments. -- GuyDebord Reference 3A Royal Master monitors biwired with van den Hul Inspiration, REL Strata 5 sub. AMP: Pathos Classic One MKIII. ANALOGUE: Michell Gyro SE, Technoarm & Lyra Helikon SL cartridge, ASR Mini Basis SQ phono preamp, link: WireWorld Silver Eclipse 5.2. DIGITAL: MacMini, SlimDevices Transporter, link: van den Hul The Second XLRs. POWER: Isotek MiniSub GII, Isotek Elite cables (MiniSub, Rel), Siltech SPX30 MKII (Transporter), van den Hul Mainstream (Pathos) & van den Hul Mainserver (ASR). GuyDebord's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14587 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;257565 Wrote: > Newbuyer - I just noticed that you did recommend getting the Cambridge > Audio 840C and using it w/ SB3, which was my original inclination. Do > you have personal experience using this set-up? And if so, how does it > compare with Lynx 22? Obviously, I'm thinking the Lynx 22 would trump > its sound, but I'd gain a quality CD player as well... selfdivider, No - I have not (yet) heard or tried the 840C. Very interested though. Like you, I have heard great things about it - and its ability to function as a DAC *and* a player, with balanced outs, is exactly what I personally would be looking for in a standalone player. It would be extremely functional when partnered with an SB3 too. GuyDebord you certainly can still enjoy a great soundcard - especially a 2-channel one - without setting up a pro studio! :) The sound quality of this particular Lynx card is phenomenal, and so far I'm finding it to work very well with an SB3. -- NewBuyer NewBuyer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7862 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;257565 Wrote: > Newbuyer - I just noticed that you did recommend getting the Cambridge > Audio 840C and using it w/ SB3, which was my original inclination. Do > you have personal experience using this set-up? And if so, how does it > compare with Lynx 22? Obviously, I'm thinking the Lynx 22 would trump > its sound, but I'd gain a quality CD player as well... Why complicate things that much, SlimCenter - Slim Device - Preamp, thats all you need, i dont understand what do you want out of the Lynx 22, its a professional soundcard made for professional purposes with specific software and for many things I suspect you are never going to use. In any professional studio, the card is just the first interface in a series of clocks, buffers D/A, A/D converters in order to achieve a decent recording or monitoring, do you plan on getting all that? do you prefer to use a boxy computer as your only interface? In Hi-Fi always the simple way is the best way. A professional studio would be a totally different thing, and certainly not for this forum. -- GuyDebord Reference 3A Royal Master monitors biwired with van den Hul Inspiration, REL Strata 5 sub. AMP: Pathos Classic One MKIII. ANALOGUE: Michell Gyro SE, Technoarm & Lyra Helikon SL cartridge, ASR Mini Basis SQ phono preamp, link: WireWorld Silver Eclipse 5.2. DIGITAL: MacMini, SlimDevices Transporter, link: van den Hul The Second XLRs. POWER: Isotek MiniSub GII, Isotek Elite cables (MiniSub, Rel), Siltech SPX30 MKII (Transporter), van den Hul Mainstream (Pathos) & van den Hul Mainserver (ASR). GuyDebord's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14587 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
If you've got a PC (or whatever) in the room you can stream the digital data via the SB into your hi-fi from the CD or DVD Rom drive used for ripping...(I'm trying to get this working at the moment). This is OK for occasional use (friend comes round with CD). It is also a zero-cost option, assuming you have some sort of sound card on the PC. -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber & Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer;257073 Wrote: > My advice is to either get the Cambridge Audio 840C and use it with your > SB3 sitting on top, > -or- > if you have a silent PC close enough to your stereo, use the PC with a > great pro audio soundcard fed from your SB3. Newbuyer - I just noticed that you did recommend getting the Cambridge Audio 840C and using it w/ SB3, which was my original inclination. Do you have personal experience using this set-up? And if so, how does it compare with Lynx 22? Obviously, I'm thinking the Lynx 22 would trump its sound, but I'd gain a quality CD player as well... -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Thanks, you guys, for all the help & advice! -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
While I love my Squeezeboxen and the Slim architecture, and would heartily recommend that you buy one, I see no good reason to bother doing so if you are going with the computer soundcard. There are a myriad of music players that will run on a PC and give you an interface at least as good as what you get with SqueezeCenter. Perhaps that will change with the controller, but I have yet to use one so I am not qualified to say. -- jeffmeh jeffmeh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3986 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;257136 Wrote: > I'll only be using the PC for audio purposes, word processing, internet > browsing, maybe some Photoshop. I don't do any video watching on it... > So the last connection is PC to the preamp, right?...I won't be using > preamp, but an integrated amplifier... does the L22 sound much better > hooked up to the amp via balanced XLR than through unbalanced RCA?... Hi selfdivider, If you will be using your silent PC only for those purposes, you don't really need to spend much or use cutting edge hardware in your server rig. You certainly don't need to buy a DAW. :) Are you planning to have the (silent) PC sitting on your audio shelf, using a case like 'the SilverStone's for instance' (http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/enclosure.php?area=usa), or will the server be in a nice upright tower case sitting next to the shelves? With an appropriate case and build, both of these can look very acceptable in a nice living/listening room. Also, are you able to build your own PC? (that's what I do, much less expensive and easy to customize) Yes in the current configuration we're trying, the SB3 is driving the digital signal to the L22, and the next connection is directly from L22 to Preamp (or integrated, or signal processor, etc - whatever receives the source in your system). This particular card, the L22, has cables included that give only balanced XLR analog connections. Adapters are provided only for the digital connections (AES/EBU to coaxial S/PDIF). But I suppose you could use or build adapters if you really wanted or needed analog RCA, and the L22 manual (available online from Lynx) shows how to establish the proper connections. You could also use a 'Jensen PC-2XR' (http://www.jensentransformers.com/pc2xr.html) or equivalent. Personally I would run balanced, every time. Lynx recommends using the Internal Clock L22 driver setting and also letting the L22 resample your incoming digital signal, in order to avoid a jitter penalty. Non-expert advice: Personally I greatly enjoy learning and trying out new things, including with audio and hardware. Remember though (I always have to learn this the hard way), that it's what sounds best to you that matters. Don't lock yourself into too specific of a hardware config that you will find difficult to perhaps change later, and make sure you are willing to invest the time and resources if you start a project - without it interfering with your enjoyment of the experience! :) -- NewBuyer NewBuyer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7862 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer;257073 Wrote: > My advice is to either get the Cambridge Audio 840C and use it with your > SB3 sitting on top, > -or- > if you have a silent PC close enough to your stereo, use the PC with a > great pro audio soundcard fed from your SB3. I just noticed that you suggested 2 options: one of which is to go through PC w/ Lynx 22 or run SB3 through Cambridge Audio 840C's DAC. My original intent was the Cambridge Audio. Do you have a personal experience using SB3 with the CA 840C? Is it comparable to PC/Lynx 22, sonically? I am asking b/c in the end, the most affordable option for me would be the Cambridge Audio. Thanks again. -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
I'll only be using the PC for audio purposes, word processing, internet browsing, maybe some Photoshop. I don't do any video watching on it. So the last connection is PC to the preamp, right? It seems so counter-intuitive, but I'd like to take your word for it. I won't be using preamp, but an integrated amplifier. Is that okay? -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;257115 Wrote: > Someone in Audio Asylum recommended this quiet PC: > > http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/sku=digital_audio_workstation.html?id=VGhJLyE6 > > Would you recommend this system, given that I'd swap out the M-Audio > card for the Lynx (which the Asylum recommender actually told me to? Or > is there a different option (cheaper preferably) which would still allow > me to go 'quiet-PC' and Lynx, no loss in SQ? > > And sorry for being STUPID again, but the chain of link would go: L22 > -> SB3 via digital coax -> integrated amp via RCA/XML? Chain is SB3 -> L22 -> Preamp. What functions will you be using the PC for? Only as a music server rig, or will you also use it for DVD/PVR/etc? -- NewBuyer NewBuyer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7862 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer;257103 Wrote: > L22 is fed from SB3 via digital coax. The L22 has isolation transformers > built into its digital in/out connections, so the signal is clean. It > can also resample the incoming S/PDIF up to as high as 200kHz with its > own quality onboard clock. Yes we just run the SB3 normally, easy as > before. Someone in Audio Asylum recommended this quiet PC: http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/sku=digital_audio_workstation.html?id=VGhJLyE6 Would you recommend this system, given that I'd swap out the M-Audio card for the Lynx (which the Asylum recommender actually told me to? Or is there a different option (cheaper preferably) which would still allow me to go 'quiet-PC' and Lynx, no loss in SQ? And sorry for being STUPID again, but the chain of link would go: L22 -> SB3 via digital coax -> integrated amp via RCA/XML? -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
radish;257012 Wrote: > I think Phil means a server _for_ the Transporter, not a server _or_ a > Transporter. > > My honest recommendation? $500 server and $2k Transporter, rip > everything, forget the CD player. Put the SB3 in another room or ebay > it (you'll get back most of what you spent on it). Yes that is what I meant. No need for CD player with TP or SB. -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber & Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;257099 Wrote: > Whoa whoa whoa... this is really exciting, but you need to slow down for > me. I'm a total luddite. This might be a dumb question but how is the > Lynx L22 fed from an SB3? (I've heard wonderful things about Lynx > cards, btw...) Do you just install Lynx L22 into a PC and run SB3 as > you would normally? And if that's the case, wouldn't running sound > straight from the PC result in even better sound quality? L22 is fed from SB3 via digital coax. The L22 has isolation transformers built into its digital in/out connections, so the signal is clean. It can also resample the incoming S/PDIF up to as high as 200kHz with its own quality onboard clock. Yes we just run the SB3 normally, easy as before. Running straight from PC sounds great too - but remember you do need to find software then, to control your music functionality. Just try to find an interface as nice and easy to use as the SB3/SlimServer combo! Seriously if anyone has a suggestion I'd like to hear it - I certainly can't find anything that matches the SB3/SlimServer functionality and interface - not even close. -- NewBuyer NewBuyer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7862 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer;257073 Wrote: > > if you have a silent PC close enough to your stereo, use the PC with a > great pro audio soundcard fed from your SB3. > > I've lately been trying a Lynx L22 card (these particular cards are > currently under $700) fed from an SB3. Whoa whoa whoa... this is really exciting, but you need to slow down for me. I'm a total luddite. This might be a dumb question but how is the Lynx L22 fed from an SB3? (I've heard wonderful things about Lynx cards, btw...) Do you just install Lynx L22 into a PC and run SB3 as you would normally? And if that's the case, wouldn't running sound straight from the PC result in even better sound quality? -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
JJZolx;257075 Wrote: > Why are feeding the card from an SB3 instead of just playing straight > through the computer? Hi JJZolx, The silent PC is headless, sits next to the system in a very nice case, and also functions as our HTPC and PVR. We really love the functionality of the SB3 and really don't know how to substitute anything else for this functionality. When needing to play directly from the PC (like if a friend brings over a CD, etc) I play the CD from the PC's DVD drive, using Winamp with ASIO, and a VNC connection from my wife's nearby PC. -- NewBuyer NewBuyer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7862 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
NewBuyer;257073 Wrote: > I've lately been trying a Lynx L22 card (these particular cards are > currently under $700) fed from an SB3. Why are feeding the card from an SB3 instead of just playing straight through the computer? -- JJZolx Jim JJZolx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
After trying the Transporter out for a while, I will present a different opinion. My advice is to either get the Cambridge Audio 840C and use it with your SB3 sitting on top, -or- if you have a silent PC close enough to your stereo, use the PC with a great pro audio soundcard fed from your SB3. I've lately been trying a Lynx L22 card (these particular cards are currently under $700) fed from an SB3, and to my great astonishment, the Lynx sound quality absolutely blows away the Transporter. I still can hardly believe it, and I cannot explain how a PC card could sound like this - especially since there is an S/PDIF conversion involved. I simply had no idea. -- NewBuyer NewBuyer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7862 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider wrote: > Phil: I think you make a great deal of sense. Rather than spending $3K > on a CD player, maybe I should build myself a server? But doesn't a > good CD player still beat the sound quality of FLAC or some other > lossless from the media server hooked to the system? That's probably > the only reason why I'm opting for the CD player. Sound quality is what > matters for me, and if the SQ doesn't suffer, I'd gladly build a media > server for myself! You don't need to build a media server to try it out. Install Squeezecenter on your PC, rip a few selected CDs to flac format and give it a go. Once you've set it up, you could order a Transporter and try that - you can return it within 30 days for a full refund if you're not happy. R. ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;257005 Wrote: > Thanks for all the replies! I got the Squeezebox originally b/c I didn't > want to hook up a PC to my system, but still wanted to port my music > which are in my hard drive. It was an impulse purchase; had I known > that I'd be ending up spending this kind of money, I would have gone > for the Transporter, no doubt, to match the sound quality of the rest > of the components. > > Phil: I think you make a great deal of sense. Rather than spending $3K > on a CD player, maybe I should build myself a server? But doesn't a > good CD player still beat the sound quality of FLAC or some other > lossless from the media server hooked to the system? That's probably > the only reason why I'm opting for the CD player. Sound quality is what > matters for me, and if the SQ doesn't suffer, I'd gladly build a media > server for myself! > > So, I guess the question is: Transporter vs. media server hooked > directly to the amp via an upgraded soundcard any > opinions/recommendations? Even the big reviewers are accepting that digital bits read by a hard drive are transported with less jitter than with any stand alone cd transport, the rest is done by the dac. The Transporter syncs the digital data sent by the server with a very precise world clock and of course, consequently gets converted with its superb dac. Most USB dacs or SB3 combos fail to approach the level of clock sync (reduced jitter) of the Transporter. This is translated in greater resolution, better detail rendering and what is more important for me, the extreme lowering of the sound floor. The Rega Saturn I had is regarded as one of the best cd players out there, stereophile class A, and all british reviewers praise it. All I can tell you is that the Transporter satisfies me more. It made me believe in the future of digital music, after all it makes a lot of sense, it was about time. When I need to have physical contact with the recorded medium, nothing satisfies me more than vinyl, sadly, its sound is also still unreached by digital, but the transporter gets closer -- GuyDebord Reference 3A Royal Master monitors biwired with van den Hul Inspiration cables, REL Strata 5 sub. AMP: Pathos Classic One MKIII. ANALOGUE: Michell Gyro SE, Technoarm & Lyra Helikon SL cartridge, ASR Mini Basis SQ phono preamp, link: WireWorld Silver Eclipse 5.2. DIGITAL: MacMini, SlimDevices Transporter, link: van den Hul The Second XLRs. POWER: Isotek Mini-sub GII, Isotek Elite cables (Mini-Sub, Rel) Siltech SPX-30 (Transporter) van den Hul Mainstream (Pathos) & van den Hul Mainserver (ASR). GuyDebord's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14587 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
I think Phil means a server _for_ the Transporter, not a server _or_ a Transporter. My honest recommendation? $500 server and $2k Transporter, rip everything, forget the CD player. Put the SB3 in another room or ebay it (you'll get back most of what you spent on it). -- radish radish's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=77 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Though I do 90% of my listening now through the Transporter, I would find it difficult to live without a CD player for those occasions when I have a CD (or a pile of CDs) in hand and want to listen right now. You can't have a friend over with 10 new CDs and expect to have an enjoyable listening session while you sit and rip all of the CDs. So I still have my original Rega Planet CD player for CD listening. I've tried using it as a transport, with the Transporter as DAC, and frankly, the experience *sucks*. Switching between inputs on the Transporter is a royal pain the ass, _when_ it works. Why they couldn't have put a simple hardware input selector switch on the thing I'll never understand. I suppose it's a matter of repeating what you know - if you know how to do everything in software, then you produce a device in which everything is attempted in software. Unfortunately, even if it were bug free, it's not very convenient. -- JJZolx Jim JJZolx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;257005 Wrote: > Thanks for all the replies! I got the Squeezebox originally b/c I didn't > want to hook up a PC to my system, but still wanted to port my music > which are in my hard drive. It was an impulse purchase; had I known > that I'd be ending up spending this kind of money, I would have gone > for the Transporter, no doubt, to match the sound quality of the rest > of the components. > > Phil: I think you make a great deal of sense. Rather than spending $3K > on a CD player, maybe I should build myself a server? But doesn't a > good CD player still beat the sound quality of FLAC or some other > lossless from the media server hooked to the system? That's probably > the only reason why I'm opting for the CD player. Sound quality is what > matters for me, and if the SQ doesn't suffer, I'd gladly build a media > server for myself! > > So, I guess the question is: Transporter vs. media server hooked > directly to the amp via an upgraded soundcard any > opinions/recommendations? Do you have a computer now? If so, all you need is a 500gig external hard drive which can be had for as little as 99.00 with usb2 on sale . A firewire will be about 130.00. Then buy a Transporter and you will have a world class server for 2100.00. Even if you need a new computer you could get a budget one with wi-fi and still be under 3,000.00. If you are like most of us here you will likely retire your CD player within a few months. I didn't even work hard to rip my library. Every time I wanted to hear a CD I just ripped it instead of playing it and then listened. Now, every time I buy a new CD I just rip it. If you want you entire library immediately there is a guy on Audio Circle that rips for 50 cents per CD. Ripped to FLAC and tagged. But it is very easy to rip little by little and always rip when you want to listen to a particular CD you haven't ripped yet. The Transporter is one of the best sounding DACs on the market, I bet you would be very happy with it. And the SB3 you bought can go in the bedroom, that's what I did. -- tomjtx tomjtx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7449 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Thanks for all the replies! I got the Squeezebox originally b/c I didn't want to hook up a PC to my system, but still wanted to port my music which are in my hard drive. It was an impulse purchase; had I known that I'd be ending up spending this kind of money, I would have gone for the Transporter, no doubt, to match the sound quality of the rest of the components. Phil: I think you make a great deal of sense. Rather than spending $3K on a CD player, maybe I should build myself a server? But doesn't a good CD player still beat the sound quality of FLAC or some other lossless from the media server hooked to the system? That's probably the only reason why I'm opting for the CD player. Sound quality is what matters for me, and if the SQ doesn't suffer, I'd gladly build a media server for myself! So, I guess the question is: Transporter vs. media server hooked directly to the amp via an upgraded soundcard any opinions/recommendations? -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;256954 Wrote: > I'd like to stick with a quality CD player, as I have a rather large > collection of CDs; until I build an adequate media server for myself, I > figure I won't be ripping all my CDs into the hard drive. > > I hear great things about the Resolution Audio. Definitely worth > checking out, it seems... Well, I have a Pathos Classic One MKIII and used to have a cd player (Rega Saturn), until it was substituted with a Transporter. Its a wonderful combination and Im very happy with the synergy of the system. The Transporter is my ultimate recommendation for all the wonderful reasons. Im curious to why then you bought an SB3, that is, If I take literally what you just wrote. But if we cannot convince you to go for the Transporter, it still would help to have a budget, so we can make better recommendations. -- GuyDebord Reference 3A Royal Master monitors biwired with van den Hul Inspiration cables, REL Strata 5 sub. AMP: Pathos Classic One MKIII. ANALOGUE: Michell Gyro SE, Technoarm & Lyra Helikon SL cartridge, ASR Mini Basis SQ phono preamp linked with Audioquest Colorados. DIGITAL: Mac Mini, SlimDevices Transporter linked with van den Hul The Second XLRs. POWER: Isotek Mini-sub GII, Isotek Elite cables (Mini-Sub, Rel & Transporter) van den Hul Mainstream cable (Pathos) & van den Hul Mainserver cable (ASR). GuyDebord's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14587 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
selfdivider;256954 Wrote: > I'd like to stick with a quality CD player, as I have a rather large > collection of CDs; until I build an adequate media server for myself, I > figure I won't be ripping all my CDs into the hard drive. > > I hear great things about the Resolution Audio. Definitely worth > checking out, it seems... Imho this is a waste of money. Go for the media server (a PC with a CD/DVD rom drive and a big hard disk) now! -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber & Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
I'd like to stick with a quality CD player, as I have a rather large collection of CDs; until I build an adequate media server for myself, I figure I won't be ripping all my CDs into the hard drive. I hear great things about the Resolution Audio. Definitely worth checking out, it seems... -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Have you considered swapping the Sb3 for a transporter and then running a CD player into it's DAC? Assuming you listen to files more than CDs you'll be eliminating a cable leg in the more common case. The TP DAC is pretty damn good...worth a listen at least. -- radish radish's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=77 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
The Resolution Audio Opus 21 is much admired, and has a digital input. It's somewhat over £2k, IIRC - over budget? -- adamslim Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others 'Last.fm group: people who don't listen to any of last.fm's top artists' (http://www.last.fm/group/People+who+don%27t+listen+to+any+of+last.fm%27s+top+artists) SB+, EAR V20, Heybrook Sextets plus some other stuff SB3, Shek d2, Ming-Da MC84-C, Harbeth HL-P3ES adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Had to read about your speaker choice -- http://jazztimes.com/reviews/audio_video_files/reviewDetail.cfm?ReviewID=27 What I'm using in my more modest bryston/totem system is an ADCOM GCD-750 CD Player which indeed has a digital coax inputs, as well as balanced outputs. And also does HDCD decoding. Once I got the SqueezeBox, it only now performs as a DAC! I agree - more upper end CD players should make their DAC available. Cheers! Allan. -- alZmtbr alZmtbr's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8773 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] CD Player as DAC recommendation?
Hi. My 1st post here! I'm building a fairly hi-fi system (either Leben CS600 integrated or Pathos Classic MK III for amp, Devore Super 8 speakers) and was looking to purchase a CD player. I also purchased a SB3 last month (not hooked up to anything yet), and I wanted to use a CD player as its DAC rather than going through a stand-alone DAC, like Benchmark or Bel Canto. I don't know if that's such a good move, but I believe that the lesser interconnects, the better the SQ... which is also the reason why I'm going the route of integrated amp rather than the separates. Anyways, can you recommend some great CD players with digital input so that I might use it as DAC for the Squeezebox? I'm already looking to try the Cambridge Audio 840C, of which DAC I'm told is excellent. I also heard good things about Luxman and Accuphase models (which would pair perfectly with the Leben amp should I decide that over the Pathos.) I'd appreciate any recommendation/solution. Thanks! -- selfdivider selfdivider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14941 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42020 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
