Best sounding CD Players with Variable Outputs to use Direct into Power Amp?
FYI..Have a GNS Opus 21 , and last spring Steve Huntley at Resolution audio installed a new drive mechanism for the CD, and it's still in the box!Never played since he sent it back, as I have a Modwright 105 that sounds great and plays video as well))..As long as they are around, I wouldn't fear buying one of their older players . The direct in gives you more money to spend elsewhere. |
I've run several cdp direct over the last couple of decades, almost always with excellent results (the only one that benefited from a volume control upstream was the Consonance SACD 2.0). Your price point could be a bit tricky though. You might find a Theta Miles or a Resolution Audio CD50 for that price but such an older player may likely need a new laser or transport soon. I would be hesitant to purchase without replacement parts available so that's something to consider. For a little more money, you may be able to pick up a modded Oppo BDP-83SE. These are quite a bit newer and parts were still available last I heard. I have a couple of these modded players, one from Modwright with the outboard tube power supply, and another from the Upgrade Company and either will stomp the Miles in terms of resolution/detail though the Theta has better dynamics and bass weight/slam. I think I paid about $650-700 for the Oppos (each). Do keep in mind that the BDP-83 (non SE) doesn't have the Sabre DAC like the SE version. |
Most digital domain volume controls " bitstrip" if not used in their top 70% of full volume. "Bitstripping is taking 16bit down to 14bit and also 12bit if the volume is too low. Thorsten Losech (Kuei Yang Wang) of AMR believes any attenuation in the digital domain DSD(rubbish) or Redbook strips bits, I think not, only below 70% is my experience. http://www.diyhifi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2921 All is not lost though if you get a cdp that you can set the max output IE 4v 2v or 1v there are a few dac’s or cdp’s that can do this, you should do some reading of reviews to find out which ones. The Cary 303/200 can be set for 2v or 4v with a link inside and has a digital domain vc. Also some older Wadia’s with digital domain vc can also be set for max output for 6 different levels with links. You may have to join to see this PDF. Cheers George
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