Good, heavy duty source for SA5k+M3 Combo ($350 max)?
Nov 21, 2005 at 8:27 PM Post #31 of 52
www.ciaudio.com

Channel Islands VDA-1, $349.

Or go on audiogon and buy the VDA-1 + VAC-1 combo for ~$350. Jam in any CDP or computer you have around for a transport, and viola..
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 2:55 AM Post #32 of 52
I don't quite understand this; I'm getting a better source since my final cans (SA5k's) are very demanding on the source. How much does a DAC help in this problem compared to a CDP? Are you guys implying that Karma + DAC would be as good as or better than just a CDP? What exactly is the point of a DAC if you have a cheap source to use it with (Karma, instead of a good quality CDP)?

(BTW, I don't know what a "transport" is)
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 3:22 AM Post #34 of 52
Hmm...it looks like I might actually be able to get my own computer this computer this winter holiday season. Do you guys think that I should then just forget about a CDP and just get an E-MU 1212M (Or maybe an 1820, but that'd be really pushing it)? There don't seem to be that many high quality hi-fi sound cards in the $200-$300 price range. What I'm curious about is whether the 1212M would be able to produce sound as well as a $300-$400 CDP.
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 3:25 AM Post #36 of 52
Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure
Hmm...it looks like I might actually be able to get my own computer this computer this winter holiday season. Do you guys think that I should then just forget about a CDP and just get an E-MU 1212M (Or maybe an 1820, but that'd be really pushing it)?


It depends. Do you prefer listening to CD's or FLAC/mp3/etc on your computer? If you like listening to cd's then you should get a Redbook cd player. For music files get a soundcard or a soundcard + DAC.
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 3:44 AM Post #37 of 52
I prefer listening to audio files since it is possible to make playlists and what not. So, I should just get a sound card (1212M) and also a DAC (Why exactly a DAC now?)?
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 3:59 AM Post #38 of 52
Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure
I prefer listening to audio files since it is possible to make playlists and what not. So, I should just get a sound card (1212M) and also a DAC (Why exactly a DAC now?)?


A DAC is where you'd probably have to go for top notch sound quality from your computer. But a nice soundcard will get you very far in terms of value.

If you can afford the E-MU 1212m, I think that would be a very nice source if you like the neutral sound signature. Then you can use whichever op-amps in the M3 to tweak the sound signature to your preference. You will have a nice rig with the SA5000.
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 4:04 AM Post #39 of 52
Ah, the 1212M is neutral? I was actually looking for something similar to the SA5k's, something fast, forward, and detailed. Anyways, which DAC do you guys recommend then ($150-$200 max).
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 4:26 AM Post #40 of 52
Azure, I would focus on an external DAC instead of a soundcard (this will yield the greatest flexibility in terms of upgrading, for the money at this point). If you get the 1212m that is already $200, and then if you get, say, a $300 external DAC, that's $500 right there. Wouldn't you rather get a $500 DAC?

Just get an AV710 ($30) or something for its digital output, then a DAC of your choice. What is your overall budget for the source? There are new Chinese DACs on the market that command the greatest bang for the buck nowadays (from recent reports, although I haven't personally heard these DACs yet).
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 4:28 AM Post #41 of 52
Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure
Ah, the 1212M is neutral? I was actually looking for something similar to the SA5k's, something fast, forward, and detailed. Anyways, which DAC do you guys recommend then ($150-$200 max).


You could use an op-amp in the M3 with an aggressive sound signature to tailor the sound of your SA5000. A neutral source is not a bad thing.
biggrin.gif


But actually, "fast, forward, and detailed" sounds like the cheaper E-MU 0404, especially after mods.

You will not be able to find many DACs at the $150-$200 price point I'm afraid. I only know of the Chinese DACs like the Lite DAC-AH ($175) or the Zhaoulu DAC ($238) in that price range.
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 5:56 AM Post #42 of 52
Quote:

Originally Posted by Teerawit
Azure, I would focus on an external DAC instead of a soundcard (this will yield the greatest flexibility in terms of upgrading, for the money at this point). If you get the 1212m that is already $200, and then if you get, say, a $300 external DAC, that's $500 right there. Wouldn't you rather get a $500 DAC?

Just get an AV710 ($30) or something for its digital output, then a DAC of your choice. What is your overall budget for the source? There are new Chinese DACs on the market that command the greatest bang for the buck nowadays (from recent reports, although I haven't personally heard these DACs yet).


What I don't understand is exactly how good of a source is a $30 AV-710 with a $300-$400 DAC? Wouldn't there be an enourmous amount of bottle-necking there? I'm just concerned about the SA5k's and how demanding they are on their source, so I'm a bit puzzled as to why I should get a $30 soundcard (The source) along with a $300-$400 DAC (Not exactly the source?).

My overall budget for the source is $300-$400.
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 5:59 AM Post #43 of 52
Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure
What I don't understand is exactly how good of a source is a $30 AV-710 with a $300-$400 DAC? Wouldn't there be an enourmous amount of bottle-necking there? I'm just concerned about the SA5k's and how demanding they are on their source, so I'm a bit puzzled as to why I should get a $30 soundcard (The source) along with a $300-$400 DAC (Not exactly the source?).

My overall budget for the source is $300-$400.


The source IS the DAC. The transport is not as important (a subtle difference).
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 6:08 AM Post #44 of 52
So then why do people talk about upgrading sound cards when talking about source? Are they really talking about upgrading to a sound card with a better DAC on it? But then what about those already with a DAC that upgrade their "source" with a higher sound card?
 
Nov 23, 2005 at 6:22 AM Post #45 of 52
Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure
So then why do people talk about upgrading sound cards when talking about source? Are they really talking about upgrading to a sound card with a better DAC on it? But then what about those already with a DAC that upgrade their "source" with a higher sound card?


You upgrade your transport when you're going for that last 3-10%. I went for it and I couldn't be happier.. only because I couldn't move my DAC anymore (literally).

Most of us just end up with a cheap sound card, outputting bitperfect (a flashed AV-710 accomplishes this) and feed it into an external DAC. Many Benchmark DAC-1 users are doing this, and that is a source to be reckoned with.

The DAC does almost all of the work.. converting digital 1's and 0's to analog signals. The transport just reads the 1's and 0's, and bitperfect is almost a given.

Go for a AV-710 and the VDA-1 + VAC-1, you won't be disappointed. Or a DAC-AH, or the cool stuff from www.diyclub.biz.
 
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