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Upgrade for Cary 306?

I'm thinking about purchasing a used Berkeley DAC (Alpha 1) and using my Cary 306 for transport (only). I like the idea that the Berkeley has HDCD capability (so I won't lose that feature). Would appreciate it if anyone that has used the Cary 306 as a transport could comment on whether the move was worth it and what they used for a DAC. thanks.
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jafant's avatar
jafant
19,914 posts
 
Very cool stuff- George.

we cd/sacd player fans need more "modders".
Happy Listening!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Yes it’s very ear opening, to have an active I/V (current to voltage) stage after the D to A converters that has no global feedback. This was further advanced by me from Pedja Rogics (of Audial fame) who first use of the AD844 a 2000 V/μs opamp. That can be used without feedback and stacked (paralleled) as well.

As it’s my belief that the very HF noise and glitches that come out of a D to A converter upset I/V stages that have feedback around them, and a zero feedback I/V stage like this have no problems with it as it is unconditionally very stable, and the proof is in the sound of it, simply stunning compared to what most use, text book I/V opamp (with feedback) stages from the big d/a chip manufacturers, Burr Brown, ESS, Wolfson and Analog Devices etc etc.

Cheers George

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,914 posts
 
Cheers George,

Cabling will always be my 1st love and fascination. 2nd, would be cd/sacd players and the many ways they can be "modded".
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