2. digital
  3. 1043358564

CD player and DAC

Can you guys give me some suggestions on which cd player and DAC to buy. I am thinking about buying a used Music Hall CD MMF 25 or a Marantz CD6000. For the DACs, a used Bel Canto DAC 1 or a Channel Island. Which combination would be best? If there are better products out there for the same price, let me know. I plan to spend about $800. I know this question is a bit tough, but I have been doing some reasearch for a while now and I am still not sure what to buy.

BTW the rest of my system consists of a Parasound HCA 750 and MMGs.

Thanks
lawbadman
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
I would agree with the first post...at your price point blow your wad on one unit vs. monkeying with a DAC,cables,transport,etc...u could buy a used Rega 2000 which has an excellent 24/96 DAC for alot less than $800...and put the savings into a sub,cables,etc...
subaruguru
1,376 posts
 
I'm not sure you can spend $800 and better the new one-box NAD C541i for $500.
voodoochile
93 posts
 
I dont think you will get a better sounding front end
FOR THE MONEY than you will as DANVECT suggested. I
also would recommend a decent player with a really good
inexpensive DAC like the Bel Canto. I started with the
DAC1 and later upgraded to the DAC2 with great success.
I couldent be happier with it. I was happy with DAC1 but
couldent resist the upgrade. Check out the white paper on their web site for the DAC. It will help you to understand whats going on.

Good luck...
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
FOr $800...you could also go with a SACD/CD unit...new or used...and with Sony positioning themselves with new hybrid manufacturing facilities and upcoming releases...I would hesitate to "pigeon hole" myself with a redbook player...the format is about to break big time...
voodoochile
93 posts
 
Phasecorrect has a good point... you could always add a
DAC for the redbook later on?
More to discover