Is the ''entry level'' DAC becoming extinct ?

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The introduction of the new Audio Research CD9 cd player that includes a high-end dac with access to use other digital sources will probably start a trend for higher end dacs to be included on the majority of high end cd players and other digital sources.

The description of the CD9 can be found on The ARCDB page in the link below.

http://www.arcdb.ws/REFCD9/REFCD9.html
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"The introduction of the new Audio Research CD9 cd player that includes a high-end dac with access to use other digital sources will probably start a trend for higher end dacs to be included on the majority of high end cd players and other digital sources."

You mean like Wadia, Cary, Mark Levinson and Resolution Audio have been doing for over a decade? Nothing new here.....you could argue that Audio Research is late to the party, so late in fact that this Dac/Disc spinner at its price point is a questionable business move on their part.

It is a cool time to be interested in the hobby. I see so many on these forums yearning for the good old days.....these are the good old days! There are so many really nice choices in each category that people in all budget categories can build a really enjoyable system. Peace.

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Ouch! Ghasley, I think I need to get out more. I had no idea that others were doing this. Thanks for the heads-up. Questionable indeed. Dac 8, Reference Dac & CD9 might canibalize each other.
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Mitch, no worries and no ouch intended.

I remember looking 10 years ago at Wadia 861se and Cary 306-200 cd players thinking that they were future proof with all of those inputs. Of course neither had usb inputs, no one did.

The Wadia was pretty special....still sells for close to its original price on the used market, thats saying something for a digital source.

Again, the thing thats really cool to me is that $300 dac's available today would have cost thousands 10+ years ago.

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Ghasley, no offense taken. I just had to chuckle at myself at how I have been so cloistered with Audio Research gear. I love their preamps and cd players and I had dared not look at any other mfg for years. I love their sound and I have not bothered to look elsewhere. I would probably have their amps too if I were into tube amps...but solid state amps are the only way to go for me.
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