Marantz SA8260 does not sound analog to me. Benchmark DAC1 in my system prooved to be very digital sounding. After about 30 minutes of listenning I would not want to play another CD. The unit I kept was the Bel Canto DAC2. I use Sony S7700 as a transport hooked up to Bel Canto DAC2 with WireWorld SuperNova 5 optical cable. I find the sound of this combo to be detailed yet very smooth through my B&W N803 speakers, which show immediately if the component is bright. Bel Canto DAC2 could be tried out for 30 days. Your player would work fine as a transport to give you an idea of what the dac sounds like. Give Audio Advisor a call regarding the Bel Canto. What's the worst that will happen? You loose money shipping it back if you find it's not for you. Good luck.
Help a vinyl-phile with a digital upgrade
I find I listen to vinyl around 90% of the time. Not only do I prefer the sound of vinyl over digital, I love the whole experience of collecting records, looking at the album jackets, etc.
I still have about 500 cds that are neglected due partly to the fact that my digital front end just doesn't cut it anymore. I have a California Audio Lab DX-1 player that's over 10 years old. So I'm thinking of the following upgrades.
1. Use the DX-1 as a transport and get a DAC. The Bel Canto DAC2 sounds like it meets my sonic criteria and the Benchmark DAC seems like a no lose option with the money-back guarantee.
2. Replace the DX-1 with a new used cdp, possibly the Jolida 100 or the Cairn Fog.
Which option will provide the most significant improvement? Are there other options I should be considering for around a grand?
Thanks for any insights you can provide.
Regards,
Scott
I still have about 500 cds that are neglected due partly to the fact that my digital front end just doesn't cut it anymore. I have a California Audio Lab DX-1 player that's over 10 years old. So I'm thinking of the following upgrades.
1. Use the DX-1 as a transport and get a DAC. The Bel Canto DAC2 sounds like it meets my sonic criteria and the Benchmark DAC seems like a no lose option with the money-back guarantee.
2. Replace the DX-1 with a new used cdp, possibly the Jolida 100 or the Cairn Fog.
Which option will provide the most significant improvement? Are there other options I should be considering for around a grand?
Thanks for any insights you can provide.
Regards,
Scott