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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
mihorn
699 posts
 

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

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,381 posts
 

@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.

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,460 posts
 

@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. 

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,499 posts
 

@big_greg 

It's the DAC in your Oppo that's holding things back, not the transport.

This is SO true. While the DAC inside the Oppo is pretty good - it simply does not compare to great stand alone DACs. This is based on 7 years of experience, using the Oppo UPD-205.

drmuso's avatar
drmuso
161 posts
 

I'll second the recommendation of a Denafrips R2R type DAC.  I have both the Ares II and the Venus 15.  At your price range you could do very well with a used Pontus II or 12.  Many consider this the sweet spot in the Denafrips range.  

My Venus 15 matches vinyl, especially playing a hi-res source, and makes CD much more analogue-like.  The Ares II is similar, but with less bass impact and a bit more grain.  I haven't actually heard a Pontus.

I also second the recommendation of the GeerFab D.BOB if you want to play SACDs and get DSD into your DAC.

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