2. digital
  3. 159521-2137

Upgrade Question

So, I’m a dyed-in-the-wool, old school, CD guy. Not interested in vinyl or streaming. I have currently a Musical Fidelity 3D CD player that I bought new in 2003. I love the sound of it, but realize that technological advancements in the medium may warrant an upgrade in players, amd the unit may be getting old in the tooth. I’m looking for a one box solution. In addition to the MF, my system consists of a BAT 225se power amp, BAT VK-3i preamp, and Joseph Audio Pulsars (v1). Your recommendations would be most appreciated. Thanks.
rlb61
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,636 posts
 
Moved up to a transport.
Looking back is a blind spot.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
There are definite advantages to sticking with the one-box solution.
The next question is budget.
There are excellent one-box CD players out there, actually quite a lot.  The Marantz Ruby and SA-10, Bryston BCD-3, anything from Luxman or Accuphase, the Esoteric models, and the list goes on.
soix
9,810 posts
 
If you like the sound you're getting now stick with Delta Sigma DACs and avoid these 2R2 contraptions.
By that logic we should never try anything new if we like what we have now.  Ignorance is bliss, right?  Many who have tried R2R DACs much prefer them to their previous Delta Sigma DACs, so as usual it comes down to personal preference but no way to know unless you at least try.  Burying your head in the sand is a lot easier though — I’ll give you that. 




djones51
4,947 posts
 
The OP said he "loves" the sound of his CDP. It uses a Delta Sigma DAC. Hence my suggestion. What continues to gripe me is how the hell does anyone know what I have tried? Yeah I've heard these NOS R2R distortion generators. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
There are plenty of different chips and different implementations in the CD players, and more in others.  One certainly doesn't have to go outside the one-box solution to sample (no pun intended) a wide palette of sonic flavors (mixed metaphor intended). 
More to discover