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Getting back into digital. Please help.

Need help on something that can compete with my vinyl. I haven't paid much attention to digital the last several years and haven't a clue what is good or sound characteristics of certain brands other than Naim.

No dealers where I live so used market. Hopefully I can get something with warranty left. Price range $5K or less. SACD is nice but not a dealbreaker.

System is 300B amp or a 45 amp into Altec Model 19s. Preamp is also tube - 76/6F8G based. 300B amp has gain pots and enough gain that can take digital source direct.

Current CD is ten year old Technics player. Smooth but uninvolving and nothing like the Naim CD5/Flatcap combo we have upstairs (awesome). Also tried the playstation...same sort of sound as the Technics.
plinko
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,868 posts
 
Pick up a Rega Apollo ($500 - $600 used).
If your electronics/speaker are up to it, you may not
need more.
lokie's avatar
lokie
528 posts
 
Esoteric sa-50 sacd with usb input- $4,000 used.
Apple Mini -$700
Apple Iphone or ITouch- $200
20 used cd's from Amazon- $100
plinko OP
256 posts
 
Interesting comments, Lokie and Musicslug. I take it that neither of you would recommend a player/DAC that does not have a USB input? Upon first glance, it seems the SA-50 offers everything including just regular 'ol put a cd in a tray method :-).

Forward looking solutions seem like a good idea but they hinge on whether these players/dacs sound good. If not, then all is moot.
jrinkerptdnet
430 posts
 
with Mac's (and some PC's I imagine, you do not NEED a USB DAC or input on your CD player ... the Mac Mini provides digital output thru a mini optical jack. you just need a mini to toslink adapter or better yet a mini to optical cable like the Van Den Hul. Of course you need a DAC with toslink input but this is pretty easy to find. You could also use a USB to SPDIF converter like the Hagerman.

good luck!

jeff
4musica44107
520 posts
 
IMHO, nothing competes with a good vinyl front end. If you are looking to spend up to $5K used, you should be able to find an ARC CD7. That would be my first recommendation. Or you might want to try a Rega Saturn combined with a good DAC.

The best digital I have heard so far is Naim's new HDX but at $8300 that is outside of your stated price range. As much as I love vinyl and even though I really enjoy my ARC CD7, if I happened on a used Naim HDX in the $5K to $6K range, I would nab it. Extraordinary sound. The closest thing to vinyl I have ever heard. And the convenience features are numerous and user-friendly.
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