Found a link to one of these refurb'ed for only $229, and $299 or so new at a variety of online vendors. Has three CS4398 DAC's, same chip as in the latest/greatest E-MU 1212M, which seems to be highly regarded (not only here on Head-Fi, but on other audio forums, too.) Sure, the entire implementation (transport, DAC, and output circuits) is just as important, but my recent experiences are that the most recent top-of-the-line DAC's from Wolfson and AKM are substantial improvements over the previous generation.
I find myself listening mostly to my PC rig (Foobar>0404 USB) and not my Musical Fidelity CD-Pre24 these days, but I still want to have a disc player available for my speaker rig. And for what used MF gear reaps on A'gon, I'd be putting substantial dollars back in the wallet (temporarily, of course
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Sort of a related question--anyone know why the Marantz SA8001 uses the CS4397 DAC rather than the CS4398? That's another player I have my eyes on.......
I find myself listening mostly to my PC rig (Foobar>0404 USB) and not my Musical Fidelity CD-Pre24 these days, but I still want to have a disc player available for my speaker rig. And for what used MF gear reaps on A'gon, I'd be putting substantial dollars back in the wallet (temporarily, of course
Sort of a related question--anyone know why the Marantz SA8001 uses the CS4397 DAC rather than the CS4398? That's another player I have my eyes on.......
