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ARC Ref CD-8 Compared to ARC Ref CD-9 or CD-6??

I'm reposting this quesrion.

The ARC Ref CD-9 has been out for a while. At the moment, I am playing only redbook CD on my ARC Ref CD-8.

Has anyone out there had a chance to compares the Ref CD-8 with either the ARC Ref CD-9 or the recently released CD-6?

I understand that CD-6 shares a very similar circuit topology with the CD-9. The latter uses tubes in the power supply (6550 and 6H30) and output circuits (four 6H30s).
bifwynne
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Jafant ... What you say doesn't surprise me. I think except for a few circuit changes that relate to the redbook CD playback functionality, the CD-8 and CD-9 very well could be closely related sonically.

As an aside, I picked up a few CD versions of older LP issues that I own. For example, The Manhattan Transfer. IMO, oftentimes the CD sounds as good as, if not a tad better, than the LP.

I am having even better luck with hi-rez redbook CD that I've picked up from Acoustic Sounds. I think redbook CD still has life. The challenge is getting good source CDs.
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 
The CD9 is clearly more open and resolving than the cd8

I bought a CD9 for the outboard dac as well.
We demo'd it back and forth with the cd8 in the dealers shop and they were astounded.

The revamped power supply makes a big difference
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Audiotomb -- I assume your comments about the CD-8 and CD-9 speak to the redbook function. Actually, I thought the CD-8/9 shared similar redbook related circuits and power supplies. So while I accept your comments, I am a little surprised that you thought the CD-9 redbook performance was so much better than the CD-8.

Interestingly, I bought a DEQX PreMATE a few months ago. The PreMATE comes with a DAC too ... uses Burr Brown chips. I compared the DAC functions between the PreMATE (using the CD-8 as a transport) and the CD-8. Very, very close.

Thanks.

BIF
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