Current Inexpensive CD Vs High Priced 90's

Totally unimpressed with the Oppo unit .... note the reviews on it are using the HDMI output ONLY, analogue outs are terrible, and using it as a transport, I found, was marginal. You'd be better off with an old Denon from the early 90's as a transport that might cost $100 and an inexpensive DAC like the Scott Nixon Chibi which I have found to be a nice unit.

YMMV

i agree with the get-an-inexpensive dac responses--use it with your pioneer dv-578a. i had a pioneer elite clone of the pioneer dv-578a and thought it was a very good transport--quick-reading, smooth and reliable.

I'm glad I asked! I was leaning towards the Oppo, but I will look into the Musical Fidelity with some seriousness.

I am not familiar with the Pioneer DV-578a. I am currently using a Pioneer Elite DV-58AV, with modified XLR Digital/ XLR Analog-SACD-DVD-Audio. CD sounds excellent through a STL DA-64XT Super. I have never been that impressed with 2-Channel SACD/DVD-Audio, especially the dual layer hybrid SACD Disks. Multi-Channel SACD/DVD-Audio Downmixed to 2-Channels by the Pioneer DV-58AV, takes Digital to a whole new level. Sounds three times as better than any 2-Channel SACD, Hybrid, DVD-Audio Disk. This player was on sale for only $275.00. Hi-resolution Multi-Channel Downmixes sets a whole new Standard, and it doesn't cost thousands. You can even go extra Amps and Speakers if you want, I still prefer the 2-Channel Downmix, but you would still have that option.

I was extrapolating from the equipment I use and their placement on the HIFICRITIC rating system. I have a Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 which is discontinued and a Audio Synthesis DAX. Their test of the V-DAC gave it a rating of 42, which is close to a $10000 DAC they recently tested and is one of the higher ratings they have given. They said it was one the biggest bargains in audio. Here is their archive ratings from their web site. Their current tests aren't available on line as they take no ads and selling the mag is the only way they keep going.





Colloms Archive: CD Player Sound Reference

Accuphase DP70v cd/pre 33
Arcam CD192 15
Arcam Solo (CD sect.) 16
Audiolab 8000 CDP 15
Audio Note DAC 5 53
Audio Synthesis DAX 46
Audio Synthesis DAX Decade 50
Boulder 2020 Dac 32
Cambridge Audio CD1 ('87) 14.5
Cary 300 CD 26
Chord DSC 1500 DAC 35
Classe DAC 1 26
Creek Classic 22
DCS Elgar 48 hd, 38 (cd input)
Krell MD10 - 64 43
Krell KPS 20 i 48
Krell KPS25cx 50
Krell KPS28 cd 35
Krell 300i CD 28
Linn Sondek CD12 42
Linn Karik/Numerik CD/T 17
Marantz CD 65 SE 12.5
Marantz CD-7 CDP 50
Marantz CD 17 KI 22
Marantz CD60 SE 15
Marantz CD 85 14
Mark Levinson ML30dac /T 45
Meridian 602 CDT 23
Meridian 203 DAC 25
Meridian MCD mk1 8
Muse Model 9 CD 30
Naim CD 5i 14
Naim cds2 50
Naim cds3 78
Naim CD 555 89
Resolution Audio OPUS 21 cdp 40
Revox B226S CDP 9.4
Sony 337 SE CDP 12.5
Sony SCD1 CD38 / SACD 55
Sony 557es 11.5
Wadia 16 43
Wadia 860 45
Wadia 7/8 dacT 47
Zanden 3 box CDP 105

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