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New to dac/cd transport concept

I'm new to breaking up the cd player and dac into seperates. Some seem to love the results, While others don't. My question is if I use my marantz 8260 cd/sacd player as a transport and marry it with a very good used dac of the 1-2K range used will I gain anything?
Also will I still be able to use the dac w/sacd's,or will the dac have to be sacd capable. Have no expierience with this type of setup if the questions sound stupid.
russe41
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,306 posts
 
Am resurrecting this thread in the hope of getting some advice for my system. I hope Russe41 won't mind. I'm thinking about trying an outboard DAC to improve sound on playback of redbook CDs from a Cambridge Audio D500SE. The D500SE has a BNC digital out jack but no RCA digital out which I gather can limit choices. Is it realistic to expect improvements going to an outboard DAC with a max. budget of $600? Willing to buy used. The motivator here is that, I've been so impressed with the effect of upgrades to TT & pre-amp on vinyl, I'm wondering how I might get my CDs to sound better. Thanks in advance for your time and advice. (Equipment: JoLida 502B, Totem Forests, JPS Lab Ultraconductor speaker cables (bi-wired), Superconductor FX Interconnects).
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,894 posts
 
Ghost, may be. Something like this?
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1190270541

Check these on e-bay as well....
narrod
1,064 posts
 
A Bel Canto DAC1 would be a signiciant improvement. Available used for under $500. BNC/RCA adapters are easily available.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,306 posts
 
Audphile1, Narrod -
Thank you. I had in fact skimmed some of the DAC classifieds. Lots of options and quite a range of prices there...hard to know where to begin sorting things out. Your suggestions are much appreciated.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,894 posts
 
I had a Bel Canto DAC2 that I really liked. I have compared it with a Marantz 8260 and the DAC2 was better. Only reason I did not recommend the DAC2 is I don't know what their market value would be right now and I am not sure you would obtain one for $600.
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