Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Need recommendations for digital source
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Need recommendations for digital source

post #1 of 11
9/11/08 at 12:26pm
Thread Starter 
I have a budget of bit more than a $1,000. Enough to buy a new Audio Cambridge 840C (I had to clear this with the wife). This is going to be my final digital source (again wife will not be too happy if I upgrade). Since everybody has been talking about the Audio Cambridge, I set my mind on it. I want balanced output and a good built in DAC. I don't mind looking at "used" units if needed on Audiogon. What other sources should I be looking at (potentially SACD players capability). Just need a couple of suggestions. Thanks for the hielp.
Reply
post #2 of 11
9/11/08 at 5:09pm
Thread Starter 
okay, I found one that would meet my criteria somewhat. The Nad M5 cd/sacd player. Can someone comment on this one?
Reply
post #3 of 11
9/11/08 at 5:14pm
I think that you should also check into a Marantz SA8001. I haven't heard this particular model, but I spend some time with an 8260 universal once in a while, and I find myself impressed with both redbook and sacd capabilities. The SA8001 is 2-channel only and many prefer over the pricier 840C.

I believe there a few different threads comparing the two sources.
Reply
post #4 of 11
9/11/08 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 
yes, I read the various thread about the Marantz SA8001. The only thing is that is doesn't have balanced output. I really would like to go balance if this is going to be my final source.
Reply
post #5 of 11
9/11/08 at 5:35pm
If you are not 'married' to a CD player, how about a Logitech Duet and a DAC like the Stello DA100? I am a big fan of the Squeezebox/Duet units since my entire collection of music is available from one source using a single remote. No more searching for CDs and fiddling with another machine. A duet and DAC would run right around your budget.
Reply
post #6 of 11
9/11/08 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
Not sure about last option. I still want a cd player. I got an imod for digital use.
Reply
post #7 of 11
9/11/08 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by breakfastchef View Post
If you are not 'married' to a CD player, how about a Logitech Duet and a DAC like the Stello DA100? I am a big fan of the Squeezebox/Duet units since my entire collection of music is available from one source using a single remote. No more searching for CDs and fiddling with another machine. A duet and DAC would run right around your budget.
This is very similar to the road I took. I have a fairly large CD collection of about 2,700 discs and I just got tired of going back and forth to my media racks. So I sold my Denon DVD 3910 and replaced it with a Squeezbox Duet, a 1TB USB 2.0 hard drive, and KECES DA 131.1 DAC. Most of my digital music library was already ripped to FLAC and scattered across several smaller hard disks, so the 1TB drive was used to consolidate my music onto a single disk.

I'm very pleased with the both the convenience and sound of this setup.

--Jerome
Reply
post #8 of 11
9/11/08 at 6:04pm
Cambridge audio is putting the DAC section from either the 740 or the 840 in an outboard box. Check it out.

You could nab a squeezebox AND a cd transport (should you really want to play the discs) with it and still come out under 1k
Reply
post #9 of 11
9/12/08 at 1:24am
840c is highly recommended since the sq and build quality
Reply
post #10 of 11
9/12/08 at 10:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
840c is highly recommended since the sq and build quality
. This is the route I was about to take. A new one will run me around $1400 with shipping. But can I do better looking at a used older unit? I am compiling a list of ones to watch for deal and this is what on it currently:
Cary Audio design CDP1, an older Audio Research CD3 MK2 or CD2, Nad M5 cd/sacd player, and the Halo D3 universal player (this one is discontinued and around $1000 brand new but I can't get any impressions on it). Should I consider something else?
Reply
post #11 of 11
9/12/08 at 11:32am
I've spent time with the Halo and the NAD M5, and in my opinion the NAD is a vastly superior unit.

The Halo sounded a lot brighter, sometimes to the point of being overly sibilant. It looks nicer than the NAD, for sure, but the NAD fits the company's design goals of the best performance for the money, and the Halo fits Parasound's design goals of the thickest aluminum faceplate and bluest lights for the money.

You'd be better off with any of the other three. Like this, for example.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Need recommendations for digital source