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Outboard Processor Question?

I am looking at possibly adding an outboard processor such as the Cal Audio Gamma or Sigma to my Sony CDP-C701ES changer. The sony has an optical cable connection only for outboard. My questions are is this changer worth the cost of an outboard processor such as these and would I notice a substantial change with either of these processors mentioned. I like the changer for the 5 disk capability and the Cal Audio's would fit perfectly in the limited space I have. Thanks for any input.

Brian
bmccormick
bmccormick OP
56 posts
 
Thanks for the info guys. I think I will probably go with the Sigma and the Manarchy or an Audio Alchemy. I will post the results.
joe_b
421 posts
 
I just received my Sigma today and plugged it in. Right out of the box I can say I really like it and would recommend it over the Micromega and as a better value than a Bel Canto. These are initial impressions and should be viewed as such. But for around $300 or maybe less for a used one, you can't go wrong trying one. The Sigma has some of the magic of tubes and images better than the Micromega.
bmccormick OP
56 posts
 
Joe b thanks for the info. I have been leaning toward the Bel Canto with the Monarchy DIP but as you said it is about 300 more used. Did you have the chance to do a side by side with the Bel Canto?
kingbeezer
13 posts
 
Brian,
Take the Monarchy Dip over the Audio Alchemy product - better reviews and better resale if you get the 24/96 version. It can be had from AudioAdvisor.com, which has an excellent return policy if you decide it doesn't make an appreciable difference.

Good Luck!
Beezer
joe_b
421 posts
 
I can not A/B the Bel Canto against the Sigma. I owned the earlier version of the Bel Canto (just before the 1.1) for about a year. The Bel Canto had more subtle detail and a larger soundstage than the Micromega Duo BS2. The Micromega was a little smoother and richer sounding. The Bel Canto worked great for me while I was using it with a Parasound CBT2000 transport. However, for reasons irrelevant here, I needed to switch to a cd changer and that combination with the Bel Canto did not work as well. I was willing to trade some detail for tonal balance so I sold the Bel Canto. The Cal Sigma is a little more refined than the Micromega, but it does also present more information. I especially liked what the Sigma does with violins, which is one of the weaknesses of digital reproduction. Images seem larger, something I had not experienced since I sold my Theta processor years ago. Does it present more information than the Bel Canto? Tough call, but I can tell you absolutely that the Bel Canto is not 100% better which is about what the difference in cost will be (if not more). Consider this: if you buy the cheaper Sigma you would have $ left over for better cables, maybe some more cd's and you can play with tube rolling.
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