Advice needed please.


My Cary 303/100 cdp remote control recently stopped working and I'm tired of having to get up from my listening position and manually switch tracks. I contacted Cary about my problem and they mentioned that they would search for another remote or remote code for my 303/100. Well, they couldn't find another remote, but they mentioned that they would post the remote control code on their website once they found it. 2 months later and no remote code for a 303/100 on their website. I've had upgraditis of my cdp to something like a Meridian 508.20,508.24, or 588. I'm looking for a smoother sound without sacrificing details. I tried the Audio Aero Prima cdp and liked the results with jazz, classical,and the like, but with rock and similar music, it just didn't cut it for me. Should I stick with another one box cdp or go with a cdp and dac? Recently, I've really been interested in hearing dacs such as Audio Mirror, Scott Nixon, and Ack! dac. The rest of my system consists of Rogue 99 mag pre, Innersound esl amp, and Magnepan 1.6. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
128x128bradz
Sure no problem guys. My Dac is very similar to the Audio Zone Dac 1. There have been some upgrades to the design over the last couple of months. There are two versions ..the standard Dac and the Premium version using better parts. I payed $350 for my Dac. I also bought the Audio Sector integrated at the same time. There's is no on and off switch as the designer says it actually sounds better this way ..always on. He designed this chassis just for me. Basically I got a $1000 retail Dac for $350. If you get the conventional chassis it's $700 due to the labor of building it.He claims it sounds better without the traditional chassis. So why pay for it?Everything this guy builds competes well above the retail price.He uses a Mark Levinson Dac as a reference for it's sound.

Since you don't have a distributor or dealer you save a bundle! I don't want to come across like I have proud papa disease or something.LOL But this Dac is truly special.

It's been a while since I listen to the Cary players. I really can't see it not being an improvement by adding a Dac like the Audio Sector Premium DAC 1. He does have a return policy on all his custom built items. Everything also carries a life time warranty parts and labor. Once you hold his work in your hand and see it in person, you understand why he offers a life time warranty. This gear is built extremely and I mean extremely well. His chassis are built by hand.

The little integrated is like a chunk of lead.
It's the only SS amplifier I've seen Srajan of 6 moons go nuts over!LOL That's why I had to try it myself.My integrated has the same hardware as the Patek SE with a passive volume control. It's cheaper because the Patek's chassis is custom milled and built by hand..which is time consuming.

Here's a few comments on the Dac at the DIY forum.
DIY Forum.
You really have nothing to lose but shipping. My guess is you won't be returning it!

Oh yeah to add what you will hear with the addition of the Dac. Almost immediately you'll notice how much more defined the soundstage is. There will be more focus..nothing will stand out unless called to do so in the recording.There's no roll off highs or tubby bass. You'll have more of the whole picture instead of what some players do . Which is high light certain areas of the music. No hash or grainy highs. Cymbals and top hats have that metallic shimmer...no white noise for highs.

The bass is so tight and controlled ,you feel it vibrate the chair you sit in softely ...if the other equipment allows.Pianos key strikes are also more distinguishable. Instead of a blurr of notes. You can hear them separately and the over tones of each strike.
btw, i heard the tube technolgy fusion cd player...... it is the most musical digital soutce i have heard to date ( blew away the big esoteric at the local store)...

detailed, musical, flowing, does everything right imo ( it stopped my vinyl vernture into a vpi scoutmaster with upgraded tonearm and xlr)
My thoughts now are possibly doing a shootout with the Cary used in conjunction with the Audio mirror dac and the Audio Sector dac. Another consideration is comparing the Esound cd-e5 to the Cary with and without the listed dacs. Is the Burr Brown 1704 dac in the Cary Still considered good compared to the Cirrus 4390 dac in the Esound cd-5? Should I also consider sending the Cary to be modded from a modding company? The tube technology fusion sounds like a good suggestion, but it is out of my budget, if it is above $1500. and is hard to find used. Please keep the advice coming. Thanks again Agoner's.
Well Bradz, the Fusion is unfortunately not currently available. I checked with Canadian HiFi the North American importer/distributor and they told me that Tube Tech was going to be replacing the Fusion with a new model. However he also told me that this new model was just going to be a cosmetic makeover, the internals would remain exactly the same and thus I wouldn't need to upgrade. I found this to be refreshing honesty on their part. Anyway the final retail price on the player was $4000.00, I've seen it used for around $2100-2500. I got mine by trading a mint Cary 303/200 for it, the deal of the century in my opinion. The Cary was an excellent player but the Fusion is just in a different ballpark sound quality wise. Keep an eye peeled, you never know when a used one might pop up.
Sounds like you did get the deal of the century Jond! I posted this same post over on audioasylum, and someone suggested that the Cary could be sent to a company that specializes in modding. Is there a company that anyone can suggest for possible future mods? TIA.