source holding me back? (or is it my amp?)

[terance]

so far my set up is

RA-1 Clone
SR 60 (sr 325i by the end of this year)
ZU oxyfuel cables
Sony dvd/vhs combo as source. . .


my question is. .is my source holding me back? or is my amp?

thanks

 

[granodemostasa]

the source.... my goodness, the source.

 

[terance]

Quote:

Originally Posted by granodemostasa the source.... my goodness, the source.

i'm looking into either that phillips player (metioned on this page) or the Toshiba player mentioned in that thred as well. . .

I'm looking to spend around 60 bucks, as i'm a poor college student.

it seems i won't get much for 60ish bucks

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by terance i'm looking into either that phillips player (metioned on this page) or the Toshiba player mentioned in that thred as well. . . I'm looking to spend around 60 bucks, as i'm a poor college student. it seems i won't get much for 60ish bucks

Be careful about those Philips and Toshiba players, especially if reliability is a concern. Some people claim they can't tell the difference in sound quality between a cheap DVD player and a high-end CD player, and if that's also your case, it will be fine. In my case, I can tell the difference and want a more reliable transport.

Try looking at the used market. That refurbished Sony SCD-CE595 SACD/CD player comes highly recommended by many in this forum, and apparently it has gone down to around $70 shipped. I'm not sure if that price still stands, but it should cost less than $100.

If your source has digital output, you could consider a cheap DAC like the Entech Number Cruncher 203.2, which will cost around $50 shipped, possibly less.

Since I wanted a universal player (SACD/DVD-Audio), I bought a used Pioneer DV-578A-S and only paid $45 shipped. Granted, it's not the best player in the world, but it does have decent-sounding Burr-Brown DACs.

 

[terance]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony Be careful about those Philips and Toshiba players, especially if reliability is a concern. Some people claim they can't tell the difference in sound quality between a cheap DVD player and a high-end CD player, and if that's also your case, it will be fine. In my case, I can tell the difference and want a more reliable transport. Try looking at the used market. That refurbished Sony SCD-CE595 SACD/CD player comes highly recommended by many in this forum, and apparently it has gone down to around $70 shipped. I'm not sure if that price still stands, but it should cost less than $100. If your source has digital output, you could consider a cheap DAC like the Entech Number Cruncher 203.2, which will cost around $50 shipped, possibly less. Since I wanted a universal player (SACD/DVD-Audio), I bought a used Pioneer DV-578A-S and only paid $45 shipped. Granted, it's not the best player in the world, but it does have decent-sounding Burr-Brown DACs.

the sony one does look nice, i'm just scared to buy something that big online and have it come all banged up.

i guess the toshiba/phillips would have been an impulse buy. . . i have to avoid those.

 

[mrarroyo]

I have had my Philips DVP642 for a few months now and I am very pleased with how well it performs. Circuit City sells it for $52 or at times as low as $42 including S&H. IMO it is a major bargain.

 

[revo_909]

a simple theory, garbage in - garbage out. invest in a good source and you'll never look back. the difference between $50 and $500 cd player is significant, the difference between $500 and $2500 cd player is subtle.