Marlin38 and Terrapin77. I love my Arcam FMJ 23 HDCD player. I was in need of a second DAC and demoed a highly regarded Wadia ( about three years ago.) cost at $4800. I spent two weeks with it comparing to my Arcam which cost about $2300 new. I sent the Wadia packing, found a used Arcam FMJ 23 HDCD and am so happy. Was not a value decision, the Arcam blew the Wadia away, despite half the price. My previous DAC was Enlightened Audio w a Proceed transport. The Enlightened was great for shitty recordings, but when the Dead starting releasing HDCD, I went for the Arcam..Check out the reviews on this Arcam. It’s a shame that new DAC are not available decoding HDCD.
Need help choosing a new DAC
With so many options for DACs these days, I'm having a hard time deciding on a new DAC. Currently considering a MHDT Orchid or Pagoda, Denafrips Pontus II, Benchmark DAC3, Schitt Yggdrasil, or Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE. I don't need any options such as volume control, BT, or MQA. I also prefer musicality over measurements. I'm currently using a SMSL SU-9, which will be moved over to my office system. I'm tired of moving it back and forth between systems. My bank account prefers the cost of the Orchid since the other options cost up to twice as much, but I can go as high as $2500. I mostly steam Qobuz thru a Raspberry Pi 4, but also use a Cambridge Audio CXC v2 CD transport on occasion. My preamp is a Don Sachs DS2 tube preamp going into a D-Sonic m3a-1200s amp feeding "Gunned" MMGs. I mostly listen to the Grateful Dead, rock, jazz, and acoustic music. Which DAC should I get and are the any others I should look at?
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@52356 I just did a Google search for HDCD and it looks like HDCD decoding has been reversed engineered. You can now rip a HDCD using a plugin and play it through a modern DAC. I'm going to give it a try tomorrow on the 2/26/77 Dave's Picks |
Your willingness and desire to audition the candidates will serve you well. I would add to the several who have spoken in favor of the Yggdrasil, and in particular I would recommend the new "less-is-more" variant. I predict it will eventually be the only variant as it has proven to be very popular. Your statement that you prefer musicality over measurements means you are exactly who this DAC is made for. I also highly recommend that you leave it powered on 24/7 for at least a week before you listen critically. I will just say that it has taken me out of the DAC market for several years at the very least. It's sublime. |
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