Thoughts on using the DAC in my oppo 205 with a CD Transport.


Hello,

I have been somewhat disappointed with the Redbook CD playback using my oppo 205. It's not that it always sounds bad, sometimes it actually sounds quite nice. I would say my biggest complaint is the lack of micro details, the light cymbal taps and other fine background sounds that make music so enjoyable. 

Since I can input a digital source to the oppo (Optical, Coaxial, or USB) and use the SABRE 32 DAC inside, I've been thinking of trying a CD Transport. Possibly the Audiolab 7000CDT. My system consists of the Simaudio Moon 600i integrated amp driving Focal L&R Utopia Be loudspeakers. 

My question is, would this arrangement provide me improved (and or) more detailed sound than I'm currently getting?

Thank you for your thoughts and knowledge!

Gary

gakman

I would look for a used Schiit Yggdrasil. I have a Gungnir and helped a friend get a Yggdrasil. The Yggy is better Good sounding for the money. 

Double check that you are using the stereo outputs (the part with XLR and RCA right next to each other) instead of the multi-channel RCA outputs on the other side of the machine. I made that mistake once and the multi-channel outs don't sound as good. I guess they use separate DACs and the stereo out part is better. 

DAC Comparison. Vermeer2 ($20k). Denafrips Ares ($2k), COS D1V2 ($3k), MSB Analog DAC ($5k), APL HiFi DSD MR ($13k)

https://youtu.be/8SyfQnE1ghc?si=n9ZPVt0axZQ7a7rk

To my ears, APL sounds bit clearer than others. But APL sounds still veiled and bright. And I can’t bare to listen any above DAC for 1 minute. Their sounds just hurt my ears. Simply, separate DACs can’t sound clean.

Some say YT sound comparison video isn’t true. Really? Then why Mike's voices are clean/clear while DACs' sounds are unlistenable. Microphone can’t lie.

Also, listen my voice and WT-95 sound below. If APL is $13k, how much is WT-95? Regardless of price, WT-95 is a forever masterpiece.  Alex/Wavetouch audio

https://youtu.be/8Yo8eDuBDY0?si=6xp1CMOjKDN4jIFo

@gakman 

When a CD sounds bad, does it sound bad the next day? How does it sound?  The reason I ask is maybe it is the transport in your 205. But, the DAC in the OPPO is getting long in the tooth.  I have the CDT 6000 and can only imagine the 7000 would be better, but be prepared to get a separate DAC. 

All the best.

@mihorn - I've got an MSB Analog DAC that I got used about 10 or so years ago. It was discontinued long ago, but when it was new, it was way more than $5000 with the matching MSB power supply, which you would definitely want to get with this.