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$2000 CDP for Rock Music????

OK here goes. 1) I am pretty new to this wonderful "hobby." 2) Becuase I live in a small town, 99% of my knowledge about the hobby and the decisions I have made and will make regarding purchases come from various known magazines and the internet. 3) I love music second only to my family and close friends......my music is mostly some variation of "alternative" rock (Red Hot Chili Peppers, NIN, Nirvana, PIXIES and Frank Black, Oingo Boingo, Oasis, THE THE, Marilyn Manson and many others from my collection of about 400 CD's. I know this music is not to the liking of many of you out there, it is non the less what I like (I have begun to like some jazz/funk cds, mostly because the music is so "clean.") Anyway my current system.........
PSB Stratus Goldi speakers
Aragon 8008BB amp
Acurus RL 11 preamp
CAL Icon MK II CDP
MIT T2 cables
I don't have much to compare my system to but I know I am missing some of the "air" and "liveliness" as I call it in my music. There also seems to be too much grain and edge to even my better recorded music. I know my speakers and amp are far from state of the art, but it seems to me that my CDP and preamp are my systems weak links. I want to replace my CDP first and am in the $2000 range (maybe a few hundred more if any of you could convince me to spend it). I would definitly consider and even prefer good used equipment. The CDP's I am considering are the sony XA777es or SCD-1(but have heard of reliability probs), Wadia 830, Electrocompaniet EMC 1 (version?????), hell really I don't know......you may have guessed, these are choices I have read about but have never had the chance to audition and won't. I am leaning towards the XA777es simply because it seems like a safe bet and the SACD option seems nice even though most of my music is not on SACD (yet I hope). I really want a CDP that is dynamic, has lots of "drive", has that "air" I am missing, and well hell, I want a CDP that is good at everything......bring it on and thanks in advance. Oh, next to go is the preamp this summer, any suggestions for that in the 2K range would also be nice (BAT stuff seems pretty nice and reasonable but again I really have no clue. Sorry that was so long.
boingo
boingo OP
2 posts
 
Thanks again to all who responded with their advice. For now, I think I am gonna start with ps audio power plant 300 and upgrading all my power cables. Then....I am still a little torn on what to upgrade as far as dumping my preamp (and getting a cdp with volume control) or keeping my Cal CD and just upgrading my pre. If anyone has some input on some good power cables that would "match" my Cal and Aragon that would be great. I don't think it would make sence to spend more than a $200 a peice with my current equipment. thanks jared
mitch2
3,910 posts
 
Hi Boingo,

Based on the system you described, and considering budget, I suggest you seriously look into some DIY power cords. You will need some basic supplies such as wire, connectors, heat shrink, wire strippers, and a hot air gun, but for $200 you could probably make 4-5 quality power cords. The following link provides very detailed instructions for making PC's which IMHO are much better than stock cords, and better even than the upgraded Beldon shielded 14awg cords. I can't say for sure how they stack up to high dollar cords, but you may get some impressions by looking in the tweeker's forum at audio asylum. Use Flavor 1 for front end components and Flavor 2 for your power amp(s). Take your time and have fun making them. SORRY if my previous post got out. Dah,,,,the correct link is below.

http://www.venhaus1.com/diymains.html
airtaxi
28 posts
 
In response to your why would i ever want a pramp again question, I thought I'd give you a few ideas. I owned a Levinson 380 before I bought a 39. I thought I was in heaven until I upgraded the 39 to a 390S. That was just amazing - stunning is perhaps a better adjective. I remember thinking to myself giddily "I have just made my last digital purchase".

SO THEN! I had to take down the rig for awhile. When I set it all back up, "just for fun", I took the 380 out of the chain, ran the 390 to my amp with some nice short cables and put on one of my favorite discs. I spent the next 4 hours trying to get my jaw off the floor. The 380 has not been back in the rig since. Well... once more just to be certain, but not since.

Now, I do also enjoy vinyl. In my rig I actually unplug the 390s, and I connect my table/phono pre direct to the amp when I want to do analog listening. I have the table going into an older but super clean Threshold Fet nine pre-amp. I could run the 390 into the Threshold as well if I wanted, but I prefer the sound of the 390 direct so much that I don't use any preamp when I listen to digital sources. To answer your question directly, you need a preamp IF you listen to analog sources or a digital source that the 390s can't decode (like SACD or DVD-A). Other than that you don't need one.

If you're wondering about the 380, yes, I sold the 380 - the 390s is *THAT* good. I have alot of CD and DAT material. In my system the ML's digital processing is close to perfect. And I mean PERFECT. It's neutrality and musical presentation is absolutely phenomenal. But couple that performance with the most elegant, dead quiet, perfect 2 source digital preamp as well? Hands down one of the best "values" out there if you consider what you have to spend to acquire this level of sonic performance in two boxes.
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