I have a new DAC on the way and I've switched to the Airport Express for streaming @ home. I've also downgraded my DAC at the office. So I have more sources than I know what to do with, and it's time to part with as many of them as I can.
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Denon DA-500 DACs -
$150 Shipped Each, CONUS
The basics:
- PCM-1702 based
- buffered op-amp output stage?
- 3 optical inputs
- 2 coaxial inputs
- 1 optical output
- 1 coaxial output
- 1 analong output
I still think it's a great value, and there's info out there about modding it to get even more bang for the buck, if you (or someone you know) is DIY-minded. I got a pretty decent deal on each of them, and would like to pass it along. I paid more for one, less for the other. Both are in good condition for the age, and I can be more specific if someone's interested. The only thing lacking may be one or two of the Toslink plug blanks on each unit.
(1)
Denon DCD-1015 Single-Disc CD Player
$60 Shipped CONUS
This is a CD player I've used as the transport in my home system and it's worked flawlessly for the last year. It's a pretty beefy unit, and is about the same vintage as the DA-500 DACs. They make a nice little stack.
Seller's photos from when I bought it:
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Denon DCD-815 Single-Disc CD Player
$50 Shipped CONUS
This was the unit I used prior to the 1015. Not as nice looking as the 1015 (busier face plate), or as sturdy, but functionally fine. Coax digital out only, IIRC.
In the stack:
Seller's Photos from when I bought it:
Modded
SMC EZ-Stream Wireless Audio Streamer -
$100 Shipped CONUS
This device is essentially a poor man's Squeezebox. It's setup to work with a MusicMatch library file and allows you to stream mp3's from your PC wirelessly and connect it to your amplification device of choice via the unit's analog outputs. Using transcoding software like tversity it'll even stream lossless content.
With the help of a soldering iron and some parts from Digikey an optical digital output was added that now means that you can couple this little device to a multitude of DACs and have wireless audio on the cheap. I've used it both with the analog outputs (very decent) as well as with a DAC and it really is quite good.
Great little unit, modded with the Toslink digital out. Worked flawlessly, just moved on to streaming through an Airport Express.
And it should be noted that I'm definitely open to packaging any and all together for a bundle of sorts with appropriate savings.
FS: Denon DACs & CD Players, EZ-Stream
