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Please Recommend Transport + DAC for $5K total

My current Jolida cdp is growing pretty long in the tooth. I could just replace it with another cdp, but it seems more prudent to go with separate transport and DAC, at this point. Would prefer gear made in N. America. Total expenditure not to exceed 5K. I'm considering Sim Audio Moon 260CD or Bryston BDP-3 as a transport. The thing is, I prefer the option of demoing at home and I haven't (so far) found any vendors offering that option with the Sim Audio piece. As for a DAC, same thing: it has to be something I can try out at home, like a Schiit Yggy or Benchmark DAC2HGC. Can anyone suggest other possibilities, given these parameters? My system: Wells Audio Majestic Integrated, Silverline 17.5 monitors, JD100 cdp. Speaker wire: Audio Art SE. Power cables: Audio Art Statement. IC's: Audioquest Cheetah.  Thanks! 
stuartk
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

The Jolida actually makes a very nice transport, if you just want to continue playing CDs.  Or look at a Cambridge CXC if you want a CD only transport to replace the Jolida.

If you want hi-res, you can also look at PS Audio Perfectwave Transport in addition to stuff like the Bryston BDP-3.  Both of these use linear power supplies (better).  With the Bryston, you still need a computer to rip CDs into wav/flac files.

For DAC, I would personally avoid anything with switching power supply, like Benchmark.  I have heard Yggy is good, but needs to be powered on for 24 hours before sounding good.

You can look at LKS MH-DA004.  I'm actually planning on buying this DAC next year.  I've done a lot of R&D with DAC circuits and power supplies over the years and the LKS does almost everything right.  All linear power supplies (even for digital section), Nichicon Gold tune or Mundorf caps, very large shunt regulated power supply for analog, fully discrete Class A analog output, uses through-hole components for almost all elements (except for SMD items on the discrete analog stage), etc.  The only things I would do differently is to use film-on-foil caps in the analog stage instead of silver mica, and maybe replace the Nichicon Fine Gold caps with Muse KZ.  But I think the LKS will be hard to beat.

You can also look at Audio-GD.  Models R2R-7 or NFB-7.77

whart's avatar
whart
3,116 posts
 
I am aiming for the same target, and pretty much decided on the Sim 260d as a transport only. Since I am only interested in Redbook, the Border Patrol with better power supply seems to be a pretty safe bet--old school R2R (chip), no oversampling, no filtering, tube power supply (that you can switch off, but keep the electronics on standby). If you don’t need the USB, it comes in pretty cheaply.
I also looked at the ANKits.
I know this reverses the priorities among digital cognoscenti (which I’m not, I’m a long time vinyl guy), but it seems like a safe bet to buy a decent transport and the Border Patrol appears to hit a sweet spot for Redbook. Have I listened to it? No. I doubt I will before I buy, which runs contrary to my usual approach. I’m willing to make a leap of faith here.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Crutchfield does have a 30 day return policy, but I would not abuse it.  I would say you should be 90% sure of your choice before buying.

I would say the transport decision is not going to be as critical because there is not going to be as much difference between transports as there are between actual DACs.  Just make sure the transport has good digital clocks and linear power supply.  These are the two critical elements in my opinion.

shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Any of the Stereophile Class A or A+ DAC should float anyone's boat. Why not burn your collection to a PC and get rid of the transport. Transports are inefficient and poor form a playback compared to a PC and a hardrive. Mac Mini has optical out or USB to connect a modern DAC.
gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
gdhal: I’ve encountered a variety of opinions re: Yggdrasil. One common observation is that 15 days is an inadequate trial period, due to a very long burn-in time. What was your experience in this regard?
@stuartk

I’ll preface this reply by stating that I’d typically be considered a rebel in most everything and that includes audio/video. That said, you’ve hit the proverbial nail on the head. I too have encountered a variety of opinions regarding the burn-in time and whether or not to keep it on 24/7. And that may not just be a result of this forum, but other forums as well as feedback from electronics repair guys. PM me if you want the number to some outstanding electronics repair people in the Long Island and Manhattan NY area who can speak to burn-in and pluses/minus of leaving equipment on/off. Each scenario has advantages/disadvantages.

My experience in the 18 days or so that I’ve had the Yggy is that (a) it does NOT need to be kept on 24/7 to sound its best, (b) sounds amazing from a cold start, (c) is worthwhile breaking-in once when new and it achieves said break-in within a week, (d) 15 day trial is plenty and it probably wouldn’t take you that long to realize how incredible it is and (e) the 15 day trial is "generous" only in-so-far as the clock starts from when you sign that its been received from fedex, not when it ships.

EDIT:

Don't just take my word for it, if you're seriously interested in the Yggy, it behooves you to do two other things. (1) Email Nick at their support email address and ask questions and (2) read and or post here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-yggdrasil-impressions-thread.766347/ . The grand high exalted mystic ruler himself posts on occasion.  
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