[Patrick82]

What is the best matching source for these components?

E.A.R. Yoshino V20
Nordost Valhalla
AKG K1000


I currently have Benchmark DAC-1 but want something better. I have all my music collection on my computer so I need a DAC.

 

[EyEPoD]

I cant speak for synergy, but if I could have any source it would be the EMM Labs Meitner DCC2 dac with the CDSD tansport. This will run you 20 grand retail, but can be had used on audiogon for around 12.5k.

Also, it would help if you stated what you dont like about the DAC1. I would hadrly call it my first choice, but i dont think it does anything wrong. IMO it perfects a flat response, which can sound thin or uninvolving at times. If you have a preference or desired sound it would be helpful yo know that when choosing a source.

 

[Patrick82]

Since E.A.R. Yoshino V20 is $5500 and Nordost Valhalla is $3300, the $975 DAC1 is the weakness. I want everything the DAC1 has but better.

 

[Ferbose]

Though I have no experience with $5000 sources, I would venture to guess you may want to get something that also plays SACD. In my own experience there is something magical about hearing SACD on K1000. It is a smoothness that makes me forget about "digital sound."

 

[Alu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick82 Since E.A.R. Yoshino V20 is $5500 and Nordost Valhalla is $3300, the $975 DAC1 is the weakness. I want everything the DAC1 has but better.

You can't always judge things by how much they cost you.

How about getting a bel canto DAC 2 (~1000), and then get it modded (~900$) http://www.empiricalaudio.com/frmods.html.

Or you could as well mod your dac 1 (as I just read).

 

[motherone]

I agree.. It's not about how much you spend, but what quality you get. That said, I always thought that Wadia made some stellar looking, well designed stuff. Maybe burmeister as well. I hear apogee makes some great DACs too, and those range anywhere from $500 to $10k. Have you considered adding a Monarchy DIP, Sonic Frontiers UltraJitterbug or Genesis Digital Lens to improve the clock being fed to your DAC? Another option would adding a reclocking circuit (ala Elso Kwak or Guido Tent). Some folks swear by the NonOS 16bit TDA1541/1543 dacs as well, but that's DIY project.

I can't really comment on the high-end dacs, though. I'm using a modified M-Audio Superdac 2496. I bought mine for about $100, they were about $300 new. I've sunk ~$150 into mods -- OPA627's for the Opamps, replaced all the caps with Cerafine, Blackgate and Panasonic FM's, ultrafast rectifiers, etc. It was dirt cheap and sounds great

 

[Yikes]

I own K1000's and my choice of source was the Exemplar Audio 3910. With all of the options it comes in around $4500 and it is close to the super $$$$ players for far less than 1/2 the price.

 

[Patrick82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yikes I own K1000's and my choice of source was the Exemplar Audio 3910. With all of the options it comes in around $4500 and it is close to the super $$$$ players for far less than 1/2 the price.

How does it compare to McCormack UDP-1 $3500 ? I don't care of the picture quality, only the sound. What did the modifications improve in the 3910?

 

[tom hankins]

I'm on the first week of my new digital source and it's the best I've owned or heard. You may find this combo to your taste too.

Sony SCD-1 as redbook transport, or SACD (used) $2300
Siltech G5 GR digital cable (new) $1300 I got mine for $650 used
Audio Aero Prima DAC 24/192 special edition (new) $5700
2 LAT AC2 power cords (new) $450 for the pr.

I've got just over $9K in this setup and can still add improvments without to much change. (either upgrade the transport or add mods to the SCD-1).

 

[Patrick82]

I bought a used Krell KAV 500i for $2000 ($5000 retail) instead of the Yoshino. The Krell has more transparent and detailed sound, so a SACD or DVD-A player would be best with it.

The McCormack UDP-1 would be a good choice but this is what it says in a review : "the UDP-1's digital performance was not substantially different from that of a $150 Pioneer DV-578A-S universal player he'd bought for reference."

$3500 and $150 almost same performance!!??

 

[Beauregard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick82 IThe McCormack UDP-1 would be a good choice but this is what it says in a review : "the UDP-1's digital performance was not substantially different from that of a $150 Pioneer DV-578A-S universal player he'd bought for reference." $3500 and $150 almost same performance!!??

!!!! Has hell frozen over??

If I read that piece correctly, it seems Mr. Atkinson a) allows measurement to trump ears, implying that a hi-end manufacturer is foisting a dubious product on the audiophile public, and b) accuses his reviewer of being incompetent!

- - Which causes said reviewer to question his sanity and sputter something about how maybe audible differences in high-priced digital sources are "tiny" and imply that a $150 player just might be fine for, say, listening to music as opposed to straining to hear differences in equipment. (OK... so that's my interpretation.)

I'm pretty sure I have an idea about the source of Mr. Rubinson's angst. (Hint: rhymes with "gazebo".)

Heck, if this sort of thing keeps up, I just might have to renew the Stereophile subscription I allowed to lapse 12 or 13 years ago...

Best,
Beau

 

[agile_one]

Go for the Reimyo 777 and don't look back.

I had the opportunity to spend 45 minutes with one into a Cary 300SEI to my K1k's at a friend's place when on vacation last summer - pure audio bliss.

They are somewhat rare, but do pop up on Audiogon for < 10k occaisionally.
Here's one, and here's another.

Just my $.02, and where I'd spend that kind of money on a source if it was within my budget (it isn't).

 

[Patrick82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one Go for the Reimyo 777 and don't look back. I had the opportunity to spend 45 minutes with one into a Cary 300SEI to my K1k's at a friend's place when on vacation last summer - pure audio bliss. They are somewhat rare, but do pop up on Audiogon for < 10k occaisionally. Here's one, and here's another. Just my $.02, and where I'd spend that kind of money on a source if it was within my budget (it isn't).

The Reimyo upsamples to 705.6kHz. The new Cary CD 303/300 upsamples to 768 Khz and it costs only $4000, but there are no reviews of it yet.

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick82 The Reimyo upsamples to 705.6kHz. The new Cary CD 303/300 upsamples to 768 Khz and it costs only $4000, but there are no reviews of it yet.

It's not about numbers, it's about the sound, and the Reimyo delivers the goods. The 303/300 may as well, but don't be guided by just the specs. There was something positively organic in what I heard from the 777. Of course, time marches on, and the latest Cary player may offer that magic for much less - only your ears can answer that.

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one It's not about numbers, it's about the sound, and the Reimyo delivers the goods. The 303/300 may as well, but don't be guided by just the specs. There was something positively organic in what I heard from the 777. Of course, time marches on, and the latest Cary player may offer that magic for much less - only your ears can answer that.

funnily enough mbratrud mentioned this player to me. We were discussing high end cd players via pm's some time back.