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High-end CD player vs. DAC

gogofast

gogofast

Addicted Member
i have a decision to make here.
i'm running out of spaces on my audio rack and have too many components.
i have original Rega Planet cd player and also MSB Link DAC with monolithic power supply/conditioner. i like the smooth warm sound of the rega planet, but also like the very detailed and highly defined sound through the DAC. i'm trying to get rid of one. even though i'm using cheap ass dvd player with the DAC, it gives about the same quality sound that rega planet gives - with much more output level. but i like the look of rega a lot, too. i can not decide which to sell. any opinion? thank you.
 

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Does the Rega have a digital output? If so, keep it, get rid of the DVD player and DAC, and get a newer DAC.
 
hmm....never thought about that.
it has digital coax output.
but i heard that optical link is the way to go which the rega doesn't have. what do you think? and what newer dac would you recommend?
 
Or sell all three and get a really nice CD player with a quality DAC built in. That way you avoid the extra real-estate and interconnect requirements. I use the Rotel RCD 1072, which might not be quite at the level you're looking for, but there's is a number of better quality units out there.

I have Toslink digital outputs, but really have no use for them.
 
gogofast said:
hmm....never thought about that.
it has digital coax output.
but i heard that optical link is the way to go which the rega doesn't have. what do you think? and what newer dac would you recommend?
Click to expand...

I have generally had better results with coax outputs. As for recommendations, that really depends on your budget - what are thinking there? Of course, john_w is right that a newer CD player may serve your needs just fine.
 
what newer cd player would be better than 24/153khz upsampling rate?
'cause that's the upgrade i have on my link dac.
and my budget will be about $500.
 
I use a Cary CD 306/200. The Cary as a standalone cdp easily competes with or betters anything I've heard.
 
I've been mulling over similar options lately.

The latest issue of Affordable Audio has a very favorable review of the BADA HD-22 CDP, which sells for about $500 at Pacific Valve:

November Affordable Audio

The reviewer claims that this unit easily bests the Cambridge Audio Azur 640c, which is commonly suggested as the best available CDP at this price point.

(I have no affiliation with either AA or Pacific Valve.)
 
Here is an interesting article you all might enjoy. The author is a pretty credible person in case you've never heard of him. Just food for thought. Not trying to persuade anyway of anything :)

http://www.clarisonus.com/blog/?p=80#more-80

Mike

PS I will add one thing. I just bought a Denon DCD 1500 MKII (circa 1988) and it sounds wonderful without all the latest technology. Which surprised me but it does lend creedence to what Lynn is saying. YMMV
 
Rega Planet into MSB Link DAC III is one of the best combos I've ever heard, but I got the Rega Planet second. If I got the Planet first, I would have never needed the DAC.

That said, I got rid of the Rega, and now have two MSB's. I do eventually want to get another Rega, but the MSB is much more flexible. I use a cheap Sony changer as a source, and it sounds fine.
 
Dusty Chalk said:
Rega Planet into MSB Link DAC III is one of the best combos I've ever heard, but I got the Rega Planet second. If I got the Planet first, I would have never needed the DAC.

That said, I got rid of the Rega, and now have two MSB's. I do eventually want to get another Rega, but the MSB is much more flexible. I use a cheap Sony changer as a source, and it sounds fine.
Click to expand...
is it possible to change msb's coax digital input from video coax (one with needle in the middle) to audio coax? 'cause mine came with video coax which was intended to have cable line or vhs player run through it. since my rega only has the coax digital out, no optical, that'll be the only way for me to hear what it sound like - msb and rega.
 
gogofast said:
is it possible to change msb's coax digital input from video coax (one with needle in the middle) to audio coax? 'cause mine came with video coax which was intended to have cable line or vhs player run through it. since my rega only has the coax digital out, no optical, that'll be the only way for me to hear what it sound like - msb and rega.
Click to expand...

I guess that what you mean by "video coax" is a toslink optical connection? Here is some information about toslink, including a picture of the connector: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toslink

It is certainly possible to convert toslink to an electrical signal on RCA-style coax (what I think you mean by "audio coax"). The Monarchy DIP processors do this, and are frequently available for $100-150; they also re-clock the digital signal to reduce jitter. You could also get one of these http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=180-961 - I have no experience with this, so I can't vouch for quality.

gogofast said:
what newer cd player would be better than 24/153khz upsampling rate?
'cause that's the upgrade i have on my link dac.
and my budget will be about $500.
Click to expand...

This one is tougher to answer, since I haven't heard that specific upgraded DAC. I will say that upsampling rate and bit depth are not reliable guides to sound quality. For under $500, you can find the newer MSBs, Perpetual Technology P3A, and other well-regarded DACs. A little searching on ecoustics.com will let you find reviews of many DACs: http://search.ecoustics.com/Editorial/Reviews/DAC-or-Transport/
 
gogofast said:
is it possible to change msb's coax digital input from video coax (one with needle in the middle) to audio coax? 'cause mine came with video coax which was intended to have cable line or vhs player run through it. since my rega only has the coax digital out, no optical, that'll be the only way for me to hear what it sound like - msb and rega.
Click to expand...
Yes, you just need a BNC to RCA adapter. You can either get an adapter for the BNC end, then use an RCA-to-RCA digital cable, or you can use a coax cable (like is used in video) and put the adapter (reversed genders) on the side with the RCA plug.

Your MSB came with a BNC input? Are you sure it's just not an adapter that's on there? MSB's traditionally came with regular RCA coax.
 
i have a Rotel RCD-855 with an outlet marked 'digital' for which i have no identifiable cable. it does look like the terminus of a video coax, and would love to figure a way to get it hooked up to my number cruncher DAC. any ideas ?
 
neergan said:
I use a Cary CD 306/200. The Cary as a standalone cdp easily competes with or betters anything I've heard.
Click to expand...

Well sheesh for $5000 it better sound good! Hope you didn't pay that much...
 
shrinkboy said:
i have a Rotel RCD-855 with an outlet marked 'digital' for which i have no identifiable cable. it does look like the terminus of a video coax, and would love to figure a way to get it hooked up to my number cruncher DAC. any ideas ?
Click to expand...
What I just said applies to you as well -- you just need an adapter.

You can either use one of these with a coaxial cable (meaning like the kind you use for cable television), or you can use one of these with your digital audio cable (RCA's on both ends).

I think. Make sure you get the right genders on both sides, that's all.
 
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