Upgrading a CD/SACD player with integral DAC


I’ve described my system on site before and it was pointed out the CD/SACD player was the weak link in the system. I’m not in disagreement, and would like to start researching an upgrade that would be commensurate with the rest of the system.

Here is what I have at present:

Marantz SA 8005 CD player with integral DAC
VPI Classic 2 turntable with an Ortofon 2M Black cartridge
Luxman L507 uX Mk2 Integrated Amplifier
Magico A3 speakers
Hydra Denali 6000S Power Conditioner

I have only Redbook CD’s, no SACDs but it would be nice to retain that capability. It would also be nice to retain an integral DAC, although at a higher price point maybe you would advise on getting a separate DAC. I’d rather avoid doing that if possible, as that would mean having to add more cables that would detract from the overall budget. But let me know what you think on that score. I have no plans to add any other components, or to stream music, so that doesn’t need to enter the equation. I listen to mostly fifties jazz and Rock ’n Roll and R&B, among other things, if that is at all relevant. I want to buy new, and not Chinese manufactured products.

So what CD players would you recommend looking into that would be similar in quality to the rest of the system. And what if any sonic improvements might I look forward to with your recommended upgrade. I purposely did not mention price point as I don’t know what price point would put the CD player into the performance range of the rest of the system components. You were all were very helpful to me choosing the rest of the system components, especially the amp and speakers. So I’d appreciate, and am looking forward to your recommendations and guidance on this selection. If there’s any more information you need, please let me know. Thanks

Mike


skyscraper
Pettyofficer. I listened to Joni Mitchell's Blue album last night and that sounded very good. The pressing of For the Roses was done in Germany by Record Service GMBH, Alsdorf. It did not list a pressing date, only mentioning it was a remaster of the 1972 recording in a digital format. It did state on the back cover, "The CD version can reveal limitations of the source tape". It is a Redbook CD, nothing special. I'm guessing by that quote they were confessing they weren't happy with the remastering they did, recognizing it's limitations.

I do have both a CD version and a vinyl record of Miles Davis' Saturday Night at the Blackhawk Volume1, which I played back to back last night on the Ruby and then the VPI Classic 2/ Ortofon 2M black cartridge turntable. It's not the world's greatest recording, but it was interesting to listen for differences. Both versions sounded fairly similar with the analog version sounding a bit more natural or "analog" so to speak, but you really had to be attentive to tell the difference. I could recognize a bit more on the CD version that the bass was poorly miked. Both were equally enjoyable though.

I'll try taking the Shuyata Denali out of the loop a component at a time as you suggest, but I'm not experiencing any detectable issues with it otherwise, and I do love the noise-free inky black backgrounds I attribute to its use. But it would be a worthwhile experiment as the absence of background noise might be attributed to the other components. This new system is a marvel though noise-wise, compared to my old Phase Linear, Dahlquist DQ 10 and Bang and Olufsen 4002 set up, that I had for forty years or so. No hiss or hum at all any more. 

I actually like listening to CD's more than records now, not for the sound quality, but for the absence of pops and crackles of other vinyl surface noise you get no matter how well you take care of your records. I should dig out my old Burwen Transient Noise Eliminator and try that out again on some records for fun. It would probably be an audio disaster though. 

By the way, where do you get your SACD's. I tried to find some on Amazon last night but they kept routing me back to their standard CD and Vinyl selections when I typed in SACD. That's a good point you make that newer recordings expressly made for SACD pressing would likely to yield better results than reissues of old material might. Some of those older jazz remasters are surprisingly good though. Take care,

Mike


Hello Skyscraper,

     I usually shop at Silver Platters,  a local  retail outlet in Seattle WA.  They have Blue-Ray audio, BR. Movies, DVD audio, SACD Stereo, SACD multi-channel, and CD's out the wazoo. They have every silver disk that you can think of. I am not sure of what retailers there are in you area. Best Buy ( Egads! ) used to have a large inventory that you could special order recent releases of remastered CD's and Records. High end audio retailers used to carry some SACD's and High-Rez. Audio. Check to see if there is a Silver Platters in your area. You might try CD Japan, as they have re-issues of many out of print disks. You would have to special order them as an import from their website. These suggestions are a decent outlet for pristine stock. I don't  know if you want to take a risk on the used market. Everything is going streaming these days, limiting options.
     I hear the Ruby has an excellent USB port for your computer. The instructions tell you how to download the appropriate driver onto your computer from the Marantz website. Streaming is not my favorite thing either. However, I wouldn't  know about my favorite musician Adrian Von Ziegler without streaming his music videos via Youtube. There are new and innovative musicians out there. How do they reach the public with a dwindling inventory of physical media? They are still going to have to pry my silver disks from my cold dead hands; because I resent anyone who thinks they have the right to limit my options. Separate me from my music? Who do they think they are? Sorry, it remains a sore spot of an issue for me. The ' For The Roses '  version on Spotify sounds like an audiophile dream, and I will be downloading the album onto my Android device tonight. I will also be looking for a CD. copy at Silver Platters, getting the best I can out of it on my Ruby; now that is what having options is all about.
     I could look online for the selection at Silver Platters, or you could do the same. They can take your special order online and ship disks to you, whatever you desire. 

skyscraper


when perusing Amazon for SACD titles, type the artist or album of interest, followed by DSD. This usually will find the SACD version.

Joni Mitchell's catalog first received the HDCD treatment around 1999/2000 remasters. Keep me posted on which cd/sacd titles that really shine via Ruby.


Happy Listening!

eBay seems to be pretty good at differentiating between standard and SACD, that’s where I got the several I have. I just searched for SACD IIRC.

BTW I am listening to my $2 Goodwill John Prine CD (I have been hitting Goodwill hard since I got the Ruby and started listening to CDs again) on my new $60 Philips headphones via the HP amp on the Ruby. I am impressed but I suspect if I had any reference of what a good headphone setup actually sounds like I might have a different opinion.
I have an Oppo 105 that I purchased primarily for SACDs and DVD-A discs.

When my trusty 20 year old Pioneer PD 65 died I started using the 105 exclusively: stock, it was decent but no cigar. While searching for a red book player, I stumbled across parts upgrades on E bay that looked fairly easy to do.

First, I moded with a easy to install silver IEC to power supply jumper. I was so happy (and now familiar with the power supply area) that I then replaced the crappy OEM power supply with a Linear Power Module. These were both sonic game changers. The icing on the cake was when I installed Machina Dynamica New DARK Matter to the tray, which IMHO is an absolute must for any transport/player

Also, I use the Oppo via its XLR outputs (there’s a huge difference between token XLRs and true deferentially balanced circuits) directly into my dual mono ES 1200 class D amp. I have owned many SS ans tube amps over the decades, the EVS is at the very top. If interested see my thread

hth