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How much (if any) would new ICs help me?

post #1 of 15
11/25/03 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
Here is my rig

Sony D25S PCDP -> Monster Interlink 200 (RCA to Mini) -> Headsave maxed-out Meta42 -> Etymotic ER-4P

I use this system at work. Listen to a very broad cross-section of music.

How much if any would it help this sytem for me to upgrade my IC?

I'm thinking the D25S is the limiting factor and the Monster may be enough. Dunno, though.. looking for second opinions.

Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 15
11/25/03 at 2:36pm
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post #3 of 15
11/25/03 at 8:59pm
As good a pcdp as it is, I think you would find a much more meaningful improvement by saving up for used big box cd player. I recommend the CAL Icon Mark II. They went out of business, so they are selling for about 300 bucks, though they were 1000 retail, and a good deal even then. Plus, it makes an awesome transport if you decide to upgrade again. It is very solid and well designed.
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post #4 of 15
11/25/03 at 9:48pm

In the area...

LSU_Tiger - I think I have some spare cables laying around if you would like to come by and take a listen. Shoot me an email and maybe we can get together late this weekend if you are interested.

I haven't heard a Meta42 yet and would love to!
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post #5 of 15
11/26/03 at 12:21am
I'm one of those folks of the opinion that once you get cables that have adequate sheilding from interference, any gains are marginal at best. On the assumption that really really good cables can make a difference, I doubt that your PCDP could take advantage of them. Upgrade your source first.
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post #6 of 15
11/26/03 at 3:28am
I would also agree on upgrading the source. The cable investment won't really be realized now.
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post #7 of 15
11/26/03 at 7:56am
Quote:
Originally posted by lan
I would also agree on upgrading the source. The cable investment won't really be realized now.
I totally agree. Cables are WAY WAY overhyped. Cables are passive tweaks that can only make you hear more (or less) of what your system is capable of upstream. It won't morph the sound into something that it isn't to begin with. Cables won't make a grainy recording sound smooth. They may cause a loss in resolution, which may make the graininess disappear, but never change the fact that the graininess is there.

At this price point, there are better tweaks out there..
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post #8 of 15
11/26/03 at 9:53am
Hey headless that setup sounds interesting and not crazy expensive. Maybe our friend would benefit from something like that. How does the 755 sound through the MSB? I know you can probably pick them both up for around $450-$500 used plus you get SACD with the 755. The NS500V (the previous model to the 755) costs around $130-$150 used, about the same as a good pair of interconnects but a worthwhile upgrade to your pcdp.
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post #9 of 15
11/26/03 at 11:20am
Thread Starter 
Thanks to everyone for the input.

Crescendopower -- you recommended the ER4-P -> S converter. Why? What benefit would I get? Seems that my Meta42 bleeds power and is MORE than enough to push the high impedence 4Ps (and my HD580s).

I guess I should have mentioned ahead of time that this is my work system and a full-sized source really isn't an option. I've kept my eyes out for something better than my D25S that is still compact, but haven't found much. Teac made a compact system at one point, but I never heard anything good about it.

The issue it that every night when I leave work, I move my amp and CD player to a locked cabinet in my office for security reasons. Lugging around a full-sized CDP would be a pain, plus probably wouldn't look very appropraite on my desk.

I guess I'll stick with what I have and maybe audition some of Headless' spare cables.

I'll shoot you an email, Head. Nice to hear there are some other Baton Rougians here!
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post #10 of 15
11/26/03 at 1:12pm
bundee1 - I am really enjoying this setup. The MSB Gold is actually fairly expensive, but I did have just the regular MSB Link III before I got the gold. $450 - $500 should be about right for it and the Sony 755 (used).

The MSB sounds great. Much more smooth and detailed than the Sony. I have always thought the Sony was very bright and harsh. With the MSB Gold it is excellent. Redbook CDs sound ALMOST as good as SACD. I can definatly hear the potential in SACD, but the overall balance is better through the MSB. The Sony is not as harsh on SACDs, but is still a little to bright for my taste.

I highly recommned the Sony - MSB combo if you are looking at getting into SACD but still need excellent CD playback.
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post #11 of 15
11/27/03 at 8:25am
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post #12 of 15
11/27/03 at 12:26pm
Thread Starter 
OOps, my mistake. I actually own the higher-impedence ER-4S.

Guess I need to mofidy my signature.
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post #13 of 15
11/28/03 at 1:43am
Maybe an NEC CDROM + DAC is small enough? Im' guessing NEC is about 6.5in wide an 12in deep and 3in high. There should be some compact DACs, (DI/O, scott nixon, dack!)
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post #14 of 15
11/29/03 at 11:12am
Thanks headless, sounds very sweet.
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post #15 of 15
11/30/03 at 1:17am
Have to agree with lan and others, a cheap transport like the NEC and a decent DAC will easily fit on a desktop and sound much better than the D-25S. Get a source worthy of good ICs before spending much on such.

Just recently got the NEC + dAck! combo myself, this is far superior to any PCDP source (D-25S & D-555), which is what I've been using primarily for the past couple years.
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