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Old Digital vs New digital.

I'm younger, mid 20's. I have only really recently started to get interested in enhancing my music, to a truely high end level of sound. I purchased a NAD541i last year, which was connected to a SimAudio Intergrated. I was allowed to audition a Museatex Meilor Bitstream DAC. This DAC is based off a 1992 Meitner Design and was heavily modified by John Wright 6months ago. The core is still an 18 bit DAC. John recently wrote me an email with a bold statement that he'd put the DAC I currently have up against anything on the market for Redbook CD's.

I wondered though, how can a chipset that was orginally used in Meitner gear 10 years ago sound so good today? I realize that the NAD was a very entry level CDP, and I've only listened to single Box CDPS all under $3k in comparision, but this DAC along with a Moray James Cable still pulls ahead. How can this be? Are the majority of the redbook designers going down an ill path? Are they focusing on improving problems that no longer exist? Are they trying to fix something that isn't broken while forgetting to fix the real issues?

Since first coming to this site/forum I look at alot of systems. The ones that make me wanna hear them are all using older CDP's from Wadia, Sonic Frontiers and CAL audio. The people who seem to have come full circle, had the cash to play and learn and found that they can acheive superior digital playback by going back and finding that CDP that isn't the latest and greatest (Aside from the SACD/DVD audio superplayers like the Linn, EMM Labs, etc) To my amazements these systems also use an LP as a core playback source. I have a hard time understanding all of this, but it is interesting. I'm a firm believer in source first, that much I have learned, but I've also found that this quest might be misleading and you might be better going back to the future in your quest to solidify your digital frontend.
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rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,484 posts
 
Agree with the above posts, newer is not always better.
A well executed design is the key, and will stand the test of time.
Power supplies and analogue sections are two critical considerations in digital (as with AC line treatment)
desertflier
1 posts
 
i have an IDAT and am still looking for someone with one.
the sound is magnificent.21 bit resolution,liquid smooth,but not as smooth as my old 103D cartridge.even the old wadia 9 i believe rate it better than the 27ix,from people that have owned both
philbrady
89 posts
 
I recently installed an IDAT in muy system and am very pleased. I was using a Philips DVD 963 as a stand alone player and it is now used as a transport. I use it with an entry level Monster digital cable. Versus the 963 the highs are now more extended, more detail and better soundstaging. I also have a modest system that I tried it in and the difference it made it on that is staggering. I now will be looking for another IDAT for that system.
jdaniel18ee
88 posts
 
Do try an inexpensive Music Hall or Project turntable. If you like Classical and Jazz, it's pretty easy to find well-cared-for vinyl. I did the upgrade path as well, and I believe you are right--the front end is the most important part. My problem was that I couldn't find a digital front end for under $4K that did music right for my tastes. I went SACD, then finally vinyl. It was the sound I was looking for. I live near a big city, (San Fransisco), so it's easy to find a lot of used records. Have fun, but I found upgrading slightly stressful. Any upgrades will enhance digital's shortcomings in a big way.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
For those with Museatex dacs, try a Moray James digital cable. I just got mine yesterday and it is leagues ahead of the 6-7 other toslink and coax cables I've tried.

And, if you haven't already, get Jon Wright(of Museatex) to upgrade the dacs to 2005 standards. I have a Bitstream with the full mods including black gate power supply , etc. upgrades and it is sublime.

Jon Wright says that the fully upgraded BitStream and IDAT are so close in performance that the difference is a subtle matter of personal taste. He also fine tunes his upgrades using Moray James cables.
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