Better cd SQ


Hi All,

I am considering purchasing an external DAC to use with my Marantz CD6006, trying to squeeze all the SQ from my cd's that I can. I like the sound of the CD6006, but feel like there is something better. Good idea or bad? If good, being that I know very little about DAC's, what DAC would you recommend for better SQ. My primary
Source is LP's. But I play a lot of CD's also.

All help would be very much appreciated.

Thank you,
nic919

nic919

You can buya Eversolo A8 streamer ,dac , server and just buy a external dvd drive 

and better cable , play your CDs,rip them once you buya easy to install Solid state drive you can play digital radio,orTidal,orQobuz. Fora huge music library playing all Flac files , just buy decent Ethernet cables , and Ethernet hub , time to move with the times , and the external drive will sound far better then what you have .

set the streamers filter to Slow roll off off filter and very smooth sounding. 
 

I used to have the marantz CD6005. Now have the Jay's CDT2-MK3 with gustard x26 pro. The difference in sound clarity and overall presence is HUGE. I know it's way above your price range, but just making the point that you have lots to gain in moving up from the CD6005. I also used the Cambbridge CXC, better but nowhere the improvement of the Jay's. I hope you will find a way to enjoy your CDs as much as I do. And I run streaming and vinyl too.

+1 for Denafrips Pontus II 12th DAC, about $1,800 at current exchange rates at Vinshine Audio....can be purchased new for a little over $1,800 new with free shipping. Hundreds of positive reviews, sounds more analog than most DACs, US based service center, release updates a couple of times a year, and Alvin Chee at Vinshine is a great guy to deal with.

I've had mine for a couple of years now, and it has remained stellar even though I have upgraded components around it....never thought it was a weak link

A solid Dac choice would be the smart next step. Without knowing exactly what the cirrus chip and output stage of the Marantz may render in tonality and stage characteristics, hard to say exactly what will differ.  It 2k for a dac would get you a jump in quality regardless! Cables do matter, and even digital outputs (and even between dac inputs) can differ in terms of results. But overall, something with a good balance of stage, clarity and spaciousness like a r2r dac would be great. Since you’re running tubes, however…delta sigma might be the right offset? Who knows. 

so many choices, but if you’re not particularly worried about digital input choices and are looking for something kinda special, for around $1700 the ANK DAC 2.1 Signature might be nice with your setup (tried posting a link but got blocked). I think that’s a kit? More to have it assembled. 

That PS audio recommendation would also be really nice with your setup (assuming here). But there are amazing offerings like the Gustard R26, Musician Audio Pegasus II, mentioning these as they are reviewed to hit well about their asking price in terms of tonal balance and performance. But like I said, it doesn’t have to be R2R to be engaging and beautiful, wide and deep while being true to source. I was lucky enough to find a used Okto Research Dac 8 stereo. Most balanced and beautiful dac I’ve ever heard and it’s a very carefully designed ess Sabre implementation. 
 

But good to consider a dac that you can later try with a decent transport since you enjoy the CD format. Yes, there are amazing new all in one’s that can attach an external drive, but I can respect (and prefer) the possibilities with separates. 

"No reason to waste money to play the CDs you have when you can have access to millions of albums at the same or better sound quality."

Such nonsense.