2. digital
  3. 1146935599

How do I decide on a CD player or adding a dac?

I have been trying to figure a way to find a solution to my fatigue from my digital and SS rig. I run a Pair of Odyssy Stratos Plus Mono Blocks from a Odyssey Etesian (Passive or Linestage) to a pair of Apogee C Minor hybrids. My room is very small 14 ft by 9 1/2 feet and 8 ft tall. Hardwood floors with an Inca wool rug in my nearfield listening area. No room treatments yet the wall are bare because we just moved and I wanted to have a fresh start. Nothing else is in the room, but me and my seat. Pics are on my Budget system.

I need to know if anyone has any suggestions for a source, I use a Pioneer DV 578a universal player for now and have thought about running it as a transport with an external dac, but am a bit overloaded to make a good choice. I have looked at the Dac Ah and Audio Mirror units as well as the Cal Audio Dacs. Others that have been suggestions were CIA Dac and power supply and a van Altine OmegaIII. I know just enough to get confused.

Should I get the dac and use the pioneer as a transport or should I get a new one box cdplayer. My budget is only about $350 to $400 at the most, the lite ah could be had for about $150 as can the Van Alstine.

Please help.

andy
brownsanandy
brownsanandy OP
92 posts
 
More of the weakness of the Pioneer such as jitter? Is there any non os dacs that can reclock or reduce the jitter? Sorry for my ignorance.

Just would like to hear from someone that has compared some of these lower priced dacs.

CIA, AVA, Lite Ah, Nixon, etc.

I was told that the lite cdp cleaned the Lite ahs clock.

Just trying to make a wise investment.
andy
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Here's a link to one that does what you speak of Attraction DAC . Yes it cost more than the others, but from what I'm reading even the most expensive DACS or players in the world can't do what is claimed here. So $1200 could be considered a bargain. I'll find out soon..since I plan to buy one myself. FYI every player has jitter..no matter the cost.
brownsanandy OP
92 posts
 
Gmood, if you like that DAC then I would be interested in the old one, where did you find it?
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
I bought it from Peter Daniels of Audiosector . I doubt I would ever sell it though. It is a $1200 DAC for $350.00...when you buy it directly from Peter. I will most likely use it in another system as it sounds great! When I get the other one I will let you try it out if you like. It could be a little while before I scoop up the Attraction Dac..maybe another month or so ? If I'd known you were still looking, I would have sent it too you to test out for a couple of weeks. Since I've loaned out my Audio Sector integrated to a fellow audiocircle audiophile to play with for a couple of weeks in New York ..I haven't been listening much lately any way. This way you get to hear gear at home without having to buy it. I wish more Aphiles trusted each other enough to do the same.
brownsanandy OP
92 posts
 
I have a guy that is going to take my stereo Khartago Extreem for a few weeks. I would love to give that thing a try. It looks cool too. I was hoping to listen to a couple of these budget dacs in my system, but with no luck.
Did i understand that you were able to buy this for $350, but it is $1200. That would be way outa my range.
I read about the attraction before, and thought I was misunderstanding what it was claiming.

If anyone has a Dac to demo, or if you are in Ohio and I can come and listen, drop me an email.

Thanks again for the insight.

BYW what other DAC and players have you had in the past?
More to discover