I have a Denon 3930ci in my H/T and have tried it hooked up to a PS Audio Digi link lll with stage lV mods with a V/D David digital cable, I don't think it betters the Raysonic 168. I think you should buy a good used player (ARC,BAT,ETC), what's your budget?
Digital Purchase Advice . . .DAC or New Player
I'm all over the board on this one. . .
I want to upgrade my digital platform and of course, I want the best performance for my dollar. I currently have a 16 year-old Philips 5 disc carousel and a Denon DVD-3910. Obviously the Philips is sub-par as a player, but can serve as a transport for casual listening. The Denon is a decent player and can also serve as a transport for more devoted listening. It also decodes HDCD which is a must for me.
I've been looking at the Cullen level 3 PS Audio DLIII as an option, but was wondering if I'd get better results going to a new player. On that front I've been considering the stock Raysonic CD-128 or the Moon modified Original CD-2008 MK2. If I go with a new player I would use the balanced outputs to feed a Pass Labs X-1/X250 driving Thiel CS1.6s. My musical tastes are rock/jazz/classical.
Would I get better performance and musicality from the DAC or from a new player?
Any and all feedback is appreciated.
I want to upgrade my digital platform and of course, I want the best performance for my dollar. I currently have a 16 year-old Philips 5 disc carousel and a Denon DVD-3910. Obviously the Philips is sub-par as a player, but can serve as a transport for casual listening. The Denon is a decent player and can also serve as a transport for more devoted listening. It also decodes HDCD which is a must for me.
I've been looking at the Cullen level 3 PS Audio DLIII as an option, but was wondering if I'd get better results going to a new player. On that front I've been considering the stock Raysonic CD-128 or the Moon modified Original CD-2008 MK2. If I go with a new player I would use the balanced outputs to feed a Pass Labs X-1/X250 driving Thiel CS1.6s. My musical tastes are rock/jazz/classical.
Would I get better performance and musicality from the DAC or from a new player?
Any and all feedback is appreciated.
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- 10 posts total
Thanks for all the responses. Jhold and Bob_reynolds (the president of my company is Bob Reynolds!!!). . .I considered the Benchmark but the modded DLIII seems like it provides better performance (albeit at a higher price). Elevick. . .I agree that the stock Denon sounds pretty good. Danlib1. . .the Havana certainly looks nice for the money. What have you compared it to? There isn't a lot of information out on the web. . . Audphile1. . .I really like Bel Canto products, particularly their look. I was considering the CD2 and/or the DAC3 but the CD2 doesn't do HDCD and it seems like the DAC3 can be bettered by other less expensive units. Samhar. . .the Raysonic 168 doesn't do HDCD so I would go with the 128 if I went Raysonic. Raysonics look great and seem to be built like a tank. Anyone have any experience with the Original 2008 MK2? A fully modded unit is only slightly more than the Raysonic 128. . . |
Here is one that does HDCD 128 is a nice player too. Might need some tube rolling (as some suggested elsewhere) and it is a good candidate for mods in the future , if budget permits. But I would rather invest in quality DAC. It is your money & final decision. Do some research. Read comments, reviews etc. if you can audition some of the recommendations - great. Do that before financially committing to anything. Mariusz |
- 10 posts total