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DAC or Marantz CD player

erwin#

New Member
Hello, I have the Sony UBP-X800, and I am in doubt whether to buy a DAC for 150-200 euros (e.g. the Modi+), or buy a second-hand Marantz CD6006 for 300 euro and connect it directly to the integrated amplifier.
I currently lean towards the first option, do you think it makes sense or should I go with the Marantz CD player?
Thanks.
 
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In terms of digital sources, I will only play CDs.
I am trying to figure out if my Sony player + inexpensive DAC is better than a more expensive CD player with good integrated DAC (there won't be a dedicated DAC in this second case).
 
Hello, I have the Sony UBP-X800, and I am in doubt whether to buy a DAC for 150-200 euros (e.g. the Modi+), or buy a second-hand Marantz CD6006 for 300 euro and connect it directly to the integrated amplifier.
I currently lean towards the first option, do you think it makes sense or should I go with the Marantz CD player?
Thanks.
This is just my subjective opinion, but the Marantz CD player should outperform your other options. It has a very good analog sounding Cirrus Logic DAC in it and will accomplish what you want in one box. If it doesn't thrill you, you can always explore standalone DACs. But you'll have to venture higher than 150-200 euros to find something that sounds better than what's in the Marantz. Comparing DACs can be a time consuming, expensive and frustrating process.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, I have ruled out the standalone DAC.
I have another question please, since I noticed that the Marantz PM6006 amplifier has built-in Cirrus Logic DAC (the same one as the Marantz CD6006 I think).
Would it make sense to connect the Sony player directly to that amplifier using the coaxial cable, or are there clear benefits in having both the CD6006 and PM6006?
 
Thanks for all the feedback, I have ruled out the standalone DAC.
I have another question please, since I noticed that the Marantz PM6006 amplifier has built-in Cirrus Logic DAC (the same one as the Marantz CD6006 I think).
Would it make sense to connect the Sony player directly to that amplifier using the coaxial cable, or are there clear benefits in having both the CD6006 and PM6006?
Yes, you may like it better. You have both correct? Would be silly not to try.
 
For now I only have the Sony UBP-X800, I can buy the PM6006 for 250 euro and the CD6006 for 300 euro.
One advantage of getting both would be that I will keep using the Sony player for Blu-rays (using Samsung HW-N650 for sound), and the stereo system will be completely separate.
 
I can buy the PM6006 for 250 euro and the CD6006 for 300 euro.
A DAC and integrated amp for less than a CDP with possibly the same DAC (& supporting circuitry)?

Unless you had your eye on some other integrated amp...?

There are some potential benefits to a CDP vs a transport and DAC, mostly down to the potential for reduced jitter, since the CDP's DAC is the clock master (as opposed to being clock slave in an external DAC). But I'd hope the Marantz amp has a decent SPDIF input, with good clock recovery so that won't be a problem.

This probably won't help you decide...
 
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Thanks for all the feedback, I have ruled out the standalone DAC.
I have another question please, since I noticed that the Marantz PM6006 amplifier has built-in Cirrus Logic DAC (the same one as the Marantz CD6006 I think).
Would it make sense to connect the Sony player directly to that amplifier using the coaxial cable, or are there clear benefits in having both the CD6006 and PM6006?
Yes, the PM6006 has the same Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC as the CD6006 and might be worth trying with your Blu-ray player. But keep in mind that the PM6006 is a relatively low power integrated amp at 45wpc into 8 ohms and 60wpc into 4 ohms. You'll want to make sure that's enough to competently drive your speakers at the levels you want. If your speakers are very efficient, you'll be fine. I still think that the CD6006 will provide better results with CDs because that's what it was designed to do. While the Sony is capable of playing CDs, its main design function is playing and processing Blu-ray discs with an emphasis on video.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, it has been precious.
I've decided that first I'll buy the Marantz CD player, then once I have the speakers I will move onto the integrated amp.
The Sony Blu-ray player will remain in a separate home-theater set-up.
 
The only thing I would find annoying, is using the Sony UBP-X800 without having its own display when just playing audio CDs. I'd get a dedicated CDP that also had digital out in case you don't like its internal DAC. I didn't pay attention to the model # of the Marantz that has both digital coax and optical. Disregard everything else i Just said! LOL
 
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The only thing I would find annoying, is using the Sony UBP-X800 without having its own display when just playing audio CDs. I'd get a dedicated CDP that also had digital out in case you don't like its internal DAC. I didn't pay attention to the model # of the Marantz that has both digital coax and optical. Disregard everything else i Just said! LOL
My current set-up is HDMI 1 "Audio/Video" going to the TV, and HDMI 2 "Audio" to the soundbar & subwoofer (I never watch TV hence it works, and I don't need to use TV-ARC with such a set-up).
I agree the lack of display in the Sony player is very annoying for listening to CDs, but using the TV as display is also not ideal either to me. The dedicated CD player will fix this point as well.
 
Similar to yourself but I use my Marantz SACD Player to manage the digital to analogue conversion for my TV via the optical input. Works well with no drop outs. Cheers.
 
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