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Budget DAC vs new Player

Hello,

I have a Rotel 855CD which has given me excellent service. Recently, I tried a new Emotiva ERC-1 ($400) with mixed results. While the soundstage depth on the Emotiva was superior, the Rotel bested the ERC-1 at the low end and for accurate timbre (a clarinet on the Rotel sounded more like an oboe on the Emotiva!)

So, given that I have limited funds to work with, I was wondering if I should try a DAC, such as the KECES DA-131 Mk II. Or, dollar for dollar value, should I look for another CD Player?

My working assumption is that the limitation on the Rotel is the chipset, not the transport.

Most of my listening is classical music.

Any suggestions or comments you might care to offer will be appreciated.

Rotel 855 CD
NAD T-163 pre/pro
Emotiva UPA 2 amp
Klipsch KG 4

Many thanks,

Jon
opteron05
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Just curious: How's the DAC in the NAD? For $400-$500 you could get either the NAD or Rotel modded?
Post removed 
opteron05 OP
16 posts
 
Well, once again I am grateful for the useful and quick answers this community comes up with.

Elevick's inquiry is on the mark: There was only a small difference between the Rotel's internal DAC and using the one in the NAD - which, I suppose is informative about both of them. Perhaps I am underestimating the quality of the Rotel, but I had expected a meaningful difference between the DAC's, given the fact that the T-163 is circa 2004 and my Rotel dates back to the late 90's.

DAC aside, though, the NAD is very musical to my ears and is a good compliment to the rest of my system.

I am also wait-listed for the Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro (now some 8 months overdue), so it may make sense to wait for it and see if the DAC in it is noticeably superior.(As yet, I don't know what they will be using.)

While the NAD lacks HDMI connections, if I decide to keep the Emotiva, I'll try putting it up for sale here in hopes of realizing somthing for it..

In any event, thanks for giving me the options I was looking for.

Jon
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
What type of digital link are you using between the Rotel player and the NAD pre/pro?
opteron05 OP
16 posts
 
I am now using a 1 meter digital coax cable to link the two.

It does seem clear, both from comments here and elsewhere, that I would do better to buy a DAC, rather than a new player at the same price.

You know, part of the fun with this hobby, reagrdless of how much money you have to spend, is the questioning, planning and learning that goes into each step along the way.

For example, I have read in a number of places that the length of the digital cable is a significant factor. Now I get to run that one down....
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