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How do I spend $5000? A CD player or DAC for my De

After my fiasco with auditioning McIntosh 871 universal player (which I didn't like at all) I'm now considering either buying a dedicated redbook player instead of Sony XA9000ES and keeping my Denon 3930 for DVDs only or indeed buying a DAC to use with Denon as a transport. I don't think I'm ready to spend more than $5000 for either. The thing is I simply don't know which is better - a dedicated $5000 CD player or Denon 3930 plus $5000 DAC? I'm selling Sony anyway - the rack has place for only 2 sources and of course I need a DVD player anyway. What do you,guys, think?
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antonkk
no_money
638 posts
 
I would dedicate the 5k to a single box solution... That is if everything downstream is up to task.

What is the rest of your system though?
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
Agree with the single-box solution.With 5K to spend,you are in the price-range of the Gamut CD-3,AA Capitole and possibly the DCS P-8 used.
mtdking
157 posts
 
Boy if you can stretch to around $6000 yo can get a Esoteric X-01 used. I think that is one of the very best players made. We know it has the best transport.
ras422
182 posts
 
my vote is for --esoteric xo3se--right at your price point after fully broken in and with the right pwr cord it is a wonderful cdp --good luck --rich
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