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Current Inexpensive CD Vs High Priced 90's

Looking for advice as there are few dealers in my area to make comparisons with my own ears.

I'm having a bad stereo year & a bad financial year. Latest piece of gear to go is my PS Audio SL3 D/A. Repair MAY be an option, but there are no highly regarded shops anywhere near me.

The PS Audio is HDCD, but tops out at 20/96. I've been running the PS Audio with a 90's Teac/Esoteric P10 & Illuminati Digital Cable. The combined list on the 2 pieces + cable in the 90's when purchased was around $3200. I like the sound of the combination quite a bit.

With that said, how much of a downgrade sonically would the Oppo DV-980H be compared to my current rig?

Any other suggestions for an inexpensive solution (either 1 piece or outboard d/a)? My Esoteric Transport still plays perfectly, but on cdr's sometimes thinks about it for awhile before playing.

The rest of the system is a Mod Squad Line Drive deluxe pre, a mediocre Adcom 555 Mk 2 that I also hope to replace, NHT 2.5I speakers & various 90's Tara cables.
moomoo
moomoo OP
81 posts
 
Wow, i can't wait to hear it wilth the upgraded power supply! I hope to hear it tomorrow. From reading, my only concern is I THINK it doesn't have HDCD.

This dealer also does repair. If I'm not happy with the MF, I'll seriously consider having them repair my PS Audio. I am going to have them repair mt NAD 2600 so I can get rid of the Adcom 555 I've been using.
trelja
3,226 posts
 
Stanwal, "Get a Musical Fidelity V-DAC for $299. Better than most $2000 ones." and "I was extrapolating from the equipment I use and their placement on the HIFICRITIC rating system."

Just to clarify, your assertion is that a $299 DAC you have never heard outshines most at the $2000 pricepoint, correct?
pettyofficer
462 posts
 
Moomoo, can the 578 play Multi-Channel SACD/DVD-Audio, or 2-Channel Downmixes of both? The results put straight 2-Channel SACD/DVD-Audio Disks to shame, no matter what the Sampling Rate!
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
Trelja,

Indeed.

DAC1 Jitter < 9 ps
MF V-DAC <170 ps
DAC1 Output XLR Balanced: Max Output 21.8 Volts
MF V-DAC Output RCA: Max Output 2.2 Volts
DAC1 costs $1000
MF Sounds better than anything around $2000 and as good as some $10,000 gear

Ignoring specs and focusing on subjective ratings, MF V-DAC must be better than DAC1
moomoo OP
81 posts
 
Petty Officer, the answer is yes, but my entire system is 2 channel only.
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