Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Several options - need help to decide
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Several options - need help to decide

post #1 of 5
3/8/07 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 
Hi there,
I am thinking about several options to spend money, lol. But basically I am after a better overall system.

System parts:
source > pc, external hdd, iriver h120 mp3 player (digital & analog & usb out), toshiba sd5980 dvd player.

receiver > denon 1905.

amp > sonic impact t-amp for home system.

dac > none.

speakers > paradigm titan + athena micra 6 (7.1 system - for living room), sound dynamic rts-3 (for another room)

headphones > beyer dt831, koss ksc75.


Now, I am thinking to invest some money on a stand alone cd player or a dac.

Several options:

1) buy a cd player (marantz cc4300, onkyo dx-c390, sony scd-ce595, philips dvp642)

2) buy a dac (zhaolu D2C or e-mu 0404).


I spend most of my listening time in front of my computer while working (8.30-5pm) via my headphones. So one part of my brain is telling me to invest in a e-mu dac (usb) so that I can use my mp3 player, pc, or external hard drive's usb out.

On the other hand, perhaps buying a separate cd player is a better upgrade to my system for sound quality (especially for paradigm titans and rts-3's).

Let me hear your suggestions.

Thanks kindly...
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #2 of 5
3/9/07 at 12:04pm
Thread Starter 
have another question actually. Can you use e-mu 0404 external box with a mp3 player or an external hard disk; i.e. without a computer.

I was thinking to connect my external hdd or iriver directly to e-mu 0404 - is it even possible? Sorry for the noob question...
Reply
post #3 of 5
3/9/07 at 12:57pm
I'm guessing your budget is $200-$300.

It looks like you need a DAC with USB input for your PC and optical input for the H120 and DVD player. Something like a Micro DAC would seem to be a good fit for you with its multiple inputs (USB, toslink, coax). I know there are other DACs with USB around your budget but I'm not familiar with them.

Another approach is to get a separate USB sound device and a separate DAC. I bought a used Link DAC III this week, and found it to offer better sound than the Micro DAC. You can use the USB sound device to connect your PC to the DAC.

The single biggest improvement you can make to your PC as source is to utilize ASIO output. Take a look at the ASIO4ALL Explanation thread for information.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ooztuncer
Can you use e-mu 0404 external box with a mp3 player or an external hard disk; i.e. without a computer.
I don't believe the e-mu 0404 has server/hosting capability to allow it to be used independently of a PC. The short answer is no.
Reply
post #4 of 5
3/11/07 at 6:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ooztuncer View Post
1) buy a cd player (marantz cc4300, onkyo dx-c390, sony scd-ce595, philips dvp642)

2) buy a dac (zhaolu D2C or e-mu 0404).
My home listening rig source is the Philips DVP642/Entech 203.2 - when I want to listen to opera (4 CDs one after another) I fire up the Marantz CC4300. Via the external DAC these two are indistinguishable, the sound is pretty good. Frankly the analog outs on both are pretty good too.

One word of warning, the Philips does have some well documented reliability issues, the coax out on mine died. When it works though it is impressive for such a cheap unit.
Reply
post #5 of 5
3/12/07 at 12:50am
Thread Starter 
thanks socrates and hciman.

Here what i decided (altogether for $167) > bought a philips dvp642 cd player and a pro dac: http://www.diykits.com.hk/

I will use cd player with sonic impact t-amp on sound dynamics rts-3's speakers (which by the way sounds great), and use pro dac with h120 + a tube amp for my beyer 831's and 770's.

They will be here by Friday


Off-topic question > is anyone using a gainclone amp for their speakers - opinions?
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Several options - need help to decide