Which cd/dv mega changer using an outboard DAC?


Anyone have experience using a cd/dv mega changer such as Kenwood, Pioneer, Marantz, etc. to an outboard DAC? Which of the mega changers and model is best with an outboard DAC? Thanks.
chantaipan
Chantaipan,

My wife and I love mega changers.

I found the Sony ES mega changer sounds better than the non-ES changer, I found the sound to be much fuller.

I like the Sony because I have never had a Sony product go bad on me, it holds 400 discs with title display, and it works with Slik-e (an amazing litle toy!) so we have instant access to every single track.

Using One DIP with the ES improves the sound nicely.

The non-ES changer benefits the most from two DIP's, with the first DIP improving sound substantially.

I used damping material on the outside of the changer. I was surprised how much it helped. So much so that I ended up covereing most of the sides/top. Damping around the 'hump' on the ES had the greatest impact.

Whish I'd done the bottom before I filled it with disks!

Next, I will see about the power cord. Don't want to open the thing up, so maybe some ferrite rings or some shielding on the cord. I have it plugged into a Versa Woodblock, but that didn't seem to help much. It will (eventually) get it's own dedicated power line. AFter that, time to experiment with isolation and mass.

I'd love to hear from other mega changer users and what you've done to improve the sound.

KP
I've got 3 Sony ES's digital out through a DAC. Sounds great in the general case, and a whole lotta fun. I make copies of all my CDs and load them up with those, keeping the originals out for "serious" listening and the car changer. Highly recommended. -Kirk
Thanks, guys. The Sony es do not have coaxial outputs which I prefer to use. The mega changers I mentioned have coaxial outputs.

Isn't there anyone using Kenwood, Marantz or Pioneer coaxialed to a dac?
I do - I have a Pioneer and Sony - I prefer the Pioneer - the Sony is a bit brighter but like I said one is really not far superior to any of the others I listened too - I did not listen to the Marantz.
The DIP will take the toslink and let you send it out as coax or balanced (while it cleans up some jitter).

KP