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Reference SACD/CD/DAC/PRE for $3-5K? Does it exist?

post #1 of 16
2/18/09 at 4:16am
Thread Starter 
Having become obsessed with audiophilia once again, I feel it is time to upgrade my source.

After looking at Wadia and McIntosh, the thought of having a SACD/Player that could double as an outboard DAC sounds awesome. Throw in digital volume control and basically I would have a replacement for my current source/preamp, the Benchmark DAC1.

What I am really looking for is a player that subscribes to the Benchmark's "True to Source" philosophy, can function as a preamp, and has great jitter correction since I will also be feeding my Computer to it(via foobar/asio)

I am going to use it to feed the Headroom Stereo Amp -> Spendor s3/5r monitors.

Please don't forsake me for this, but an internal headphone amp isn't all that important to me.

Does something like this exist?
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post #2 of 16
2/18/09 at 4:48am
Used Wadia?
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post #3 of 16
2/18/09 at 5:24am
McIntosh just introduced a box that does everything you want, forget what the new retail MSRP is, theres a thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/m...player-363759/
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post #4 of 16
2/18/09 at 1:31pm
Thread Starter 
Funny thing, it was that McIntosh thread that started this whole thing in the first place. The problem is it costs around 6.5k. Once things get in to the used car range, I start to get shifty.

As for the Wadia suggestion, those sound like amazing players. The issue I have is the Wadia house sound is supposed to be a little more laid back, which combined with my speakers, might result with a sound that would be a little too polite.

My biggest problem, is there really isn't a way for me to audition this stuff and it is a lot of money to gamble with.
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post #5 of 16
2/18/09 at 3:20pm
If you are getting serious raif...

Take the time to maybe travel a little. Spending less than $100 for a round trip to the bay area to see if you want a 6k player maybe much better than getting something that you may not want.

Wadia - CA

Also for McIntosh...

Check:

Magnolia Audio Video
1164 Galleria Blvd
Roseville, CA 95678
Phone: 916-782-9880

Cheers,
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post #6 of 16
2/18/09 at 3:35pm
I havent tried everything in that range, but the Accuphase DP-500 should do what you want, but it doesnt have the best preamp (no cdp that I've heard has :P)
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post #7 of 16
2/18/09 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
The only issue I have is that if I go with Wadia or McIntosh, I would definitely go the used route, so I feel bad about wasting a dealer's time. Especially in this economy, I am sure the boutique audio field is suffering.

Perhaps someone could answer some specific questions...

Does the McIntosh MCD500 use digital volume control?

Has anyone any experience with this? I was thinking maybe feed this to a Gilmore GS-1 to get a quality hp amp/ st pre.

How is the jitter correction on these products? Are they assuming that they will be fed with a super high quality transport, hence resulting in poor SQ when fed from my computer?
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post #8 of 16
2/19/09 at 6:01am
raif, was just composing reply, and it disappeared in a page refresh.. arggh....

content (which I will redo) will be suggestion from a different perspective: how to get best-in-class SQ and jitter performance within your stated budget by leveraging small number of cost-effective pro audio components, with an option to keep using your DAC1 (which is certainly quite good performance-for-the-dollar in SQ and jitter handling).

before retyping, a question regarding your desires / intentions wrt files sourced from computer:

- maximum sampling rate? ie CD extractions only at 16/44.1; hi-res files at up to 24/96; or do you desire support for above 24/96, ie 24/176.4 or 24/192 sourced from DVD-A, hi-res downloads, Reference Recordings HRx, whatever...?

- also, do you have any future desire to be able to record hi-res to your computer (hi-res needledrops or SACD "digidrops")?
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post #9 of 16
2/19/09 at 7:56am
I bought my Cary 306 SACD for 3k on audiogon, the pro may run 4-5k used too.
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post #10 of 16
2/19/09 at 1:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by emmodad View Post
- maximum sampling rate? ie CD extractions only at 16/44.1; hi-res files at up to 24/96; or do you desire support for above 24/96, ie 24/176.4 or 24/192 sourced from DVD-A, hi-res downloads, Reference Recordings HRx, whatever...?

- also, do you have any future desire to be able to record hi-res to your computer (hi-res needledrops or SACD "digidrops")?
Most likely just 16/44.1, though I do have NIN - The Slip in 24/96.

I have no plans to record hi-res in the foreseeable future.

I look forward to hearing your input.
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post #11 of 16
2/19/09 at 1:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ricey20 View Post
I bought my Cary 306 SACD for 3k on audiogon, the pro may run 4-5k used too.
How do you like it? Have you had the chance to compare it to other sources?
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post #12 of 16
2/20/09 at 7:07am
yea, I had a Cambridge 840C and Stello DA220 prior. Its better than both as a DAC, neither of the 2 had SACD capability though.
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post #13 of 16
2/22/09 at 2:12pm
There are a lot of players in this price range. Reference-quality depends on your definition - it could mean players at the $20,000+ level for some people.
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post #14 of 16
2/23/09 at 4:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HiWire View Post
There are a lot of players in this price range. Reference-quality depends on your definition - it could mean players at the $20,000+ level for some people.
Yah, after really browsing through head-fi during the past week or so, I see it has changed quite a bit since I last frequented it. I was afraid to post this in the source forum for fear that I would just be told to stick with the benchmark/stello/lavry/etc level because anything claiming "better" is just paying for the statement, not the performance.

Based on the research I have been doing, I am probably going to have to stick to the combination of budget components approach, until I can afford to start spending around the 10k range.

Right now it looks like my best bet is.
Ayre QB-9
Used Marantz 8001 for SACD playback
Headamp GS amp/pre
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post #15 of 16
2/23/09 at 2:18pm
Also take a look at the Arcam FMJ CD37 and NAD M5 if you get the opportunity. I have the Arcam FMJ CD36 which is Redbook-only - it does everything right for me.

Linn has the Majik Redbook-only player in this price category. I am currently paying close attention to the Oppo players - they appear to offer a great bang-for-buck value. Some reviewers seem to indicate that they improve with an outboard DAC - the new DV-983H may be able to output DSD digitally via HDMI, but I read that there are some caveats involved. There aren't many DACs that offer HDMI input yet.
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