GFi, et all
I chased my tail with dacs, and dac/pres for years. However, I wanted to experience SACD and DVD -As, and bought a Oppo 105 some 5 years ago. Although the SACDs and DVD-As sounded ’better’ I wasn’t hearing SOTA sound. At that time I was only using it for them, as redbook did not sound good through it. Instead I played redbook through a Pioneer PD 65 that had a level 3 mod (including outboard PS) from Musical Concepts as a transport, but about 2 years ago it died and lasers were no longer made.
At that time I was using the PD 65 as a transport into the dac from a Audio Alchemy DDP- 1 (dac/pre). I hunted around and finally settled on a Marantz HD CD 1, which is built like a tank and had current outputs which significantly improved redbook playback. Now, I don’t recall why, but I was on ebay and came across LPMs that were essentially drop in replacements for the 105s crappy OEM power supply, well known to be its Achilles Heel. Also available was a DIY kit to replace the OEM IEC with a Furutech Rhodium + heavy gauge silver tail that connected direct to the OEM board, and a jumper to bypass the 110/220 switch. It was <$200 and happily, I was amazed at the improvement. Fortunately, the designer provided excellent step by step pictures and no soldering was required. While I had the top off to do this I perused the OEM PS and noted it would be easy too, and ordered one: he had various versions from < $200- > $300. I settled on the < $200 version.
Once this was broken in I compared redbook through the 105 v through the Marantz via AA DDP-1 which was used as both a preamp and a dac. This progression then went to 105 direct using its VC, bypassing the Marantz and DDP-1: Oh my! I’ve been playing music this way for ~ 2 years, and am very satisfied, and only spent $995 for the 105, purchased new from Oppo, and ~ $400 for the simple DIY upgrades. Thankfully, my digital quest is over and my wallet is the better for it. Instead, I upgraded from my Emerald Physics KCIIs to EP 3.4s which are amazing. A friend who is a lead and bass guitarist, who has played in bands came over and after a couple songs asked if we were listening to just the 3.4s. Alas, the current EP line has been discontinued, but I think they have new versions on the wings
hth
