I’m from the stone age and i just can’t say i could turn away from having a format i can physically hold. I also like simplicity. No need to dive deeper in to that. Being a relative audio nerd, i see a downside with the technically that seem to make things (not obsolete) almost outdated, or close to, very fast. I have a hard time telling myself i invest in something that is a safe buy. |
I must say I am still stuck on the ARC Ref CD9 with quad dacs, two per channel as the best I've heard. Leaves all my previous Esoteric gear behind including cdp and clocks etc. And running my streamer through this unit via coaxial also uplifts my digital stream significantly. Now I need to get this system reassembled one day soon... |
You must have had ancient Esoteric players. ARC players cant compete with the TOTL Esoterics’s or Luxman for that matter. Ive had em all.
Compatibility with 32-bit/384kHz PCM files and multiple-speed DSD is pretty standard at anything above budget level. The Audio Research CD9SE version inputs are limited to 24-bit/192kHz at best, while DSD isn’t even on the menu. |
@jafant yes the vanilla Pioneer LX800 SE has been put back into service. The MW Pioneer was a piece of trash, measured and reported and then sold. The Standard Pioneer LX800 with only EMI RFI upgrades is running nicely. It has a super image but I find the audio not as good as the Oppo205 SE. Still my systems are fragmented at the moment with insufficient shelf space the main issue stopping unpacking all of my gear. The variety of media furntiure here in Australia is very limited. I should have imported back the two units from the ME, but they were also quite fragile. We are awaiting a shelf unit for delivery next week that will enable a stereo and HT set up. But my son moved back with us, and I have had to create an office in my HT room so things are rather all over the place. I’m trying to sell my two box XP20 SE to create some space but summertime in the USA takes everyone’s mind off hifi purchasing. MY wonderful fully serviced Krell XD Duo 300 is not moving here either... |
