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I'm starting to price CD players to replace my old piece o junk. Looking for a nice audiophile unit. can anyone direct me to some websites to do some price comparing. or if anyone has a specific player recommendation, I'll take that happily.
If you plan to use a separate DAC, an inexpensive unit that might be a good choice as a transport is the Oppo DV-980. Many folks like that unit.
A lot do, but for this reason get a CDP with digital-out. So you can always go the separate DAC route.
If you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of portable CDPs w/Optical out. You could get one and a good DAC.
As soon as you buy a superior DAC to use, the CDP is essentially just a spinning unit extracting audio data off a CD.
__________________ D2 Gapless Warrior.
Sources:foobar w/FLAC[ASIO] ->USB->Headroom MicroDAC, 4GB Cowon D2 w/2 X 8GB/16GB/32GB SDHC cards
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 650, Sennheiser HD 595/50Ω, Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9, Audio-Technica ATH-A900, Koss KSC-75
Amps:Headroom MicroAmp[Desktop]
So far Head-Fi has lightened my wallet by :$3515 Last.fm I'm disabled, so expect a few typos.
A lot do, but for this reason get a CDP with digital-out. So you can always go the separate DAC route.
If you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of portable CDPs w/Optical out. You could get one and a good DAC.
As soon as you buy a superior DAC to use, the CDP is essentially just a spinning unit extracting audio data off a CD.
I find myself a bit confused. Are both of you guys saying that I could get a reasonably inexpensive cd player with an optical out, and it would function just as well as an expensive unit? I am definitely confused here. I thought I knew what I was doing for a minute. are you saying I should put the money into a DAC, not the player itself? I am saying this, but it could be that I just dont know what is in the expensive players.
-If what I have said is true, do the 1000 + players have DAC's built in?
-Do you have to have a DAC? I understand about converting the waveform, but is it a necessity? I thought it would be CD-AMP-HP. Not so? man am I dumb.
-I was originally out to get a solid dedicated source. now I am wondering if I will need two things.
EDIT
OK, I have done a little further research. I am looking for a cd player that has a solid DAC built in. one of audiophile quality, but not horribly expensive. Less than 1000 definitely.
Now, if you guys think that getting separate units is better, I would like to know about your experience. maybe I'll start a new thread. hmm.
Are you looking for portable, or home? And what's your budget look like?
May people here with high-end CDP's, are usually using mostly super-high resolution discs, what's your music quality like? You might want to reinvest into some decent pressed CD's.
When you get your CDP (CD Player, which is a CD Transport + a DAC, by definition), it would be good if it had Digital Out (S/PDIF, either 75 Ohm coax with RCA connector, optical with TOSLINK connector, or both ... and if really high-end then with AES/BEU using 110 Ohm coax and XLR connector).
That way you could later switch to an outboard DAC if you had the money, or just for smiles if you borrow a DAC or use one at a meet. Most CDPs in your price class have decent transports, so the DAC is what you are listening to when you buy a CDP!
Think if you want SACD playback.
And I agree with nick20 -- Japanese pressed CDs, and some European, sound better to me. Could be placebo effect, but I doubt it.
IMO, and only that, this is how "I" set my preferences..
high-resolution CD presses > CDP > HP's > amp
While the difference in amp wasn't too big, it is noticeable, however buying better CD's REALLY makes a difference.. some will agree, and most won't, however most haven't heard a quality pressed CD. So I don't expect a lot of "agreeing".
CD player recommend/sites
Linear Mode
