2. digital
  3. 1065826189

Bel Canto DAC 2 or Ikemi?

I know the digital front end is so subjective, but I thought I'd solicit feedback.

I have listed to a lot of players now (Moon, Adcom, Rotel, Meridian, Musical Fidelity, Audio Research, Krell KAV, Classe, Denon...) and the Ikemi is the one I liked best. So why am I even asking? Because I have seen the Bel Canto compared to an Ikemi in sound, and it costs a lot less.

There are no Bel Canto dealers near me, and I don't know anyone who has heard both.

Anyone?

Joy Elyse
joyelyse
ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
Like Greenman I also chose the Ayre CX-7 over ther Ikemi-even though here in the UK the price of the Ayre is very expensive.
My point is,if it helps you, is that I think the Ikemi is great with acoustic type material-with rock or more complicated modern recordings I think it lacks performance.
I would try hard to hear a CX-7 if there is a way you can.
ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
Ignore my last post-I misread your audition.
martian_23
20 posts
 

I'm enthusiastic about the DVD 963 SA/DAC2 pairing. Before I used an Audiolab 8000CDM as transport, but the (cheap) Philips offers immensely more detail. Its downside is its not very audio-friendly handling.
joyelyse OP
42 posts
 
I ended up going with the Denon 5900 as a transport. It's more than I was looking to spend as a transport, but since it has beautiful video and fairly good SACD, it was the perfect choice.
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