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From Audio Research ref cd player to what ? (Cd Transport, streamer, Dac.....?)

I have sold my Ref cd7 as I was willing to upgrade. I thought buying a new dac with a new transport , giving more versatility would be better.
I realize now that lots of transport are available and that finally I just have 200 cd’s or so and the investment on a transport is maybe not that wise....

What quality of transport do I need to buy to be at least at the level of the cd7 ? Moving up the scale I have seen the nuprime cdt 10,  simaudio 260d or t , a newly developed project rst2, or the jay’s cdt2 mk2.

What quality of DAC for not to be disappointed with my previous cd7 ? I have seen Ayre  Codex or Yggdrasil or Bryston BDA3 or psaudio , or mytek....

Is it better to buy a streamer as I don’t have thousands of cd’s ? But what ?

All of this will be associated to an Audio Research Ref3 ,  2x Audio Research Ref 250 , Magnepan 20.7.
I don’t like anemic sound and prefer full bodied, romantic, yet envelopping and textured sound.
I don’t need over transparency as my above rig is sufficiently transparent to let everything appear even in the smallest details.

What do you think ?
thank you


antmou
rego
378 posts
 
CD Transport cost goes to a big $$$ (dollar) range for numerous points of discussion and all for 44/16 (redbook) quality files.
Not discounting CD quality only pointing out that savings on a disk transport can be applied to an upgraded streaming transport.
Rip CDs and / or invest in HiRez files ... a custom built PC could be used for CD playback.
HiRez files will give a noticeable gain in playback.
Also aim a little higher for a DAC.
My UDP-203 >>> Coax / WiFi >>> Integrated / Network is all I use for CD
Playback.
soix
9,394 posts
 
Is it better to buy a streamer as I don’t have thousands of cd’s? But what ?
Yes!  I’d highly recommend an Innuos Zen Mk3 streamer/server as it’ll allow you to rip all your CDs right into it and also start streaming — no transport (or computer) necessary.  The significant added benefit is that all your music will now be at your fingertips in any order you want — no more getting up to search for and load individual CDs.  Pair the Innuos with a good tube DAC like the Audio Mirror Tubadour SE Mklll or MHDT Pagoda (both available with in-home trial periods) and I think you’ll be thrilled.  Hope this helps, and best of luck in your search. 

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
315 posts
 
@antmou FWIW-I have Audio Research REF5SE and a REF 75. I’m using the PS Audio Directstream DAC with a streaming bridge and a Cambridge CXC transport. They mate really well for the reasons you articulated, in what you are looking for.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I have sold my Ref cd7 as I was willing to upgrade. I thought buying a new dac with a new transport I realize now that lots of transport are available and that finally I just have 200 cd’s or so and the investment on a transport is maybe not that wise....
Stick with your CD’s Schiit will have a very affordable transport out soon which if history serves will be a good one, and won’t break the bank. And should be better than the $400 Cambridge I have mentioned, because the Schiit CDT designer is the legendary (Theta Digital designer) Mike Moffat

Too many of my friends sold their CD collections and transports to go streaming/server way, and chopping and changing them and the software to get some satisfaction, and in the end have lost their passion for music and audio.
Never again to have music sessions or equipment comparing sessions at their place with their audio friends like they did before they switched. They change the subject if anyone talks about it.

Cheers George
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