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Digital front end question

I've been out of High End audio for 9 years, and have just jumped back in. I need to know if digital front ends have changed that much in 9 years ... Can a Theta DS Pro Basic IIIa with a good transport compete with a Marantz 8001 ? And would I be insane to buy a $170 Oppo 980H and have Ric at EVS do $1100 worth of mods as my front end ? I already have a good transport, and can buy a used Theta Dac like mentioned above for $500 ...
timtim
psacanli
535 posts
 
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tweak1
3,680 posts
 
The biggest problem with separate dac/trans is the interconnection. Unless you have BNC or better I2Bus, it will transfer in the lowly SPIDF.

By getting a player you eliminate the SPIDF a digital interconnect, a power cord, a shelf, iso devices...

Players such as the Raysoinc 168 als bring a fantastic variable balanced tube output. Meaning you can forgo a preamp. I sold my $3K pre after breakin and comparison.

MSRP for 168 is only $2549
davetherave
95 posts
 
Tim,

I also used a DVP-s7700 as a transport and thought it was pretty good. Then a friend of mine who has a lot of upmarket gear (Wadia, EMM Labs) suggested that I upgrade, and I did. The Theta Pearl transport ($500 on Audiogon) was worlds better, especially in the bass, and the Theta Jade ($900 on Audiogon) better still. The transport makes a world of difference.
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