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Meitner DCC2 vs. Analog - Opinions Please

I have been been contemplating the move to analog for a year or two, and have collected about 70-80 discs in preperation. I also have 600 or so CD's and a smattering of CD/SACDS.

I was thinking along the line of VPI HRX (7k or so used), a Shelter 90X cartridge (2.7k), and a phono-stage such as an ARC REF used (4.5k?) or Aesthetix Callisto (4-5k?) and interconnects ($500 or so). I would also need to reconfigure my rack and maybe get longer interconncets for my amps, but lets leave that out for now. That would add up to about 17k or so if I threw in a VPI 16.5.

Now, it seems I can get (new) the Meitner DCC2 and CDSD for the same 17K, less about 8-9k I could free up by selling my ARC REF2 MK2 pre and ARC CD3, for a total outlay of about 8 - 9k. I could also sell one pair of my Audioquest Diamond X3 (might not do this, I really like them) and I would not have to change my rack.

Can anyone comment on how close the Meitner gear might be to a rig such as I described? It seems like upgrading my CD player and adding SACD would be more cost effective than spending all that money to play less than 100 discs.

Also, can anyone comment about the pre-amp section on the DCC2 vs. the ARC ref2mk2?

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.

Ron
rlips
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,247 posts
 
You have a very nice system. If you like the way it sounds, then do absolutely nothing. With such a high quality system money is nearly always better spent on adding new music. Based upon my experiences with the M-L Odyssey I'd recommend you add another pair of VTM200s (or possibly a VT100) and biamp. Sorry I didn't directly address your question.
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
My opinion may be some what bias since I have never owned a TT(though I have listened to them many times) and I do own the DCC2/CDSD. I of course have thought of this myself and went digital for a number of reasons, but that's me. You should contact the member Gladstone here, he has both the meitner combo and the TNT HR-X I am sure he can offer a lot of insight. I know he prefers the analog in his system, but I believe he feels the digital(in particular well recorded SACD) comes pretty close. If he had to do it again I am not sure what he would do!
audio999
178 posts
 
Don't even think about it,RUN to analog !

Suggestion: Shelter 501 MKII ($800) instead of 90X ($2700)

501 MKII is one of the best value under $1000.(I like it better than 901 in the mid area that would be a good thing for your system,haven't heard the 90X)

I know you have extra $$ to buy a cartridge,but saving $$ is not a bad thing. You can play with 501 first and upgrade it later if you think it's still necessary.

Good luck!
twl
3,251 posts
 
I am familiar with a situation of a person I know who has the newest Meitner stuff, and also a Teres 265 TT with an OL Illustrious tonearm, and Shelter 901 cartridge. The entire analog rig was approximately $7900, all brand new. The Meitner gear cost alot more than that, and he bought it new.

The Meitner does not match the analog gear, but it comes closer than any of the other digital stuff he tried. The Meitner is very good digital gear, one of the best.

Realistically speaking, there is no digital gear that will compete with a turntable like that.

However, with a limited record library like you have, it may be a consideration to be able to get the best possible reproduction from your larger digital library. In that circumstance, it may be a worthwhile thing to get a great digital player. It will sound very good indeed.

But it is not going to beat(or even match) a high end TT rig such as you outlined.

This is not to say that you wouldn't have a very enjoyable system with a Meitner digital setup. You definitely would.

Personally speaking, and I am biased, I'd get the TT and more records, and never look back. Analog is a cut above, always has been, and it looks like it will continue to be that way.
ez2hear
45 posts
 
Bottom line is there is no digital rig that will be the equal of a good analog rig. Analog is the HIGHEST resolution source we have (it is infinite). The Shelter 90-X is a special cartridge and worth every penny.
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