Looking for help with my set ups...CD players

[Auxilary]

Thanks again Aaron and thank you onwardjames!

Any suggestions on a DAC under $500 with inputs for a laptop?

 

[onwardjames]

Thanks again Aaron and thank you onwardjames!

Any suggestions on a DAC under $500 with inputs for a laptop?

I love my Meridian Director. Maybe become a member, and check out Bartertown. That much change (500) will get you a used Schitt or something else very capable.

 

[RunOutGroove]

Thanks again Aaron and thank you onwardjames!

Any suggestions on a DAC under $500 with inputs for a laptop?

I've never owned a separate DAC but going on reviews and such, I'm thinking about a Topping D50 or D50s or maybe Schiit Bifrost. My budget is well under $500 though. I always get the best value buying used (and for the most part, it hasn't come back to bite me). $500, if you're going used might get you a $1000 DAC and my guess is that it would sound pretty damn good!

I get the feeling that most if not all of them have USB connections. The ones made more for hi-fi, rather than just computer use also tend to have Optical and coax inputs as well...

 

[sanford12]

I got a CD6006 and it will pull stuff out of a CD that I never heard before it's the best I've heard and it's built like a tank. Sounds better than my old Pioneer DV 588 SACD. Has a better DAC than my Outlaw RR2160. For that price it's a heck of a deal. Mine's been rock solid with nary a hiccup. It really is an outstanding piece. As far as reliability that Pioneer from 2005 still chugs along. I rather buy something good than fool with something cheap.

 

[Auxilary]

Thanks sanford12! Can you tell me what receiver you are using with 6006? Is it vintage or modern?

 

[sanford12]

I'm using a new Outlaw RR 2160 and a 1960 Dynakit ST-70 through a Elekit TU-8500 tube pre that I built. It sounds great with either system.

 

[Auxilary]

Thanks sanford12. How does the sound compare between the Outlaw and Dynakit? I'm starting to lean toward the Marantz ND8006 for $799.

 

[sanford12]

My brother has one of the Marantz CD/SACD players and likes it a lot. The 8006 looks like a very interesting versatile player.
System 1; Outlaw RR 2160 receiver, Infinite Slope 1.8 spkrs Music Fidelity LX2 LPS phono pre.
System 2; Dynaco ST-70, Elekit TU-8500 pre, KEF Q950 spkrs
Shared Eqpt; Empire 298 TT W/Denon 103 cart, Marantz CD6006, Pioneer DV-588 SACD

They both sound great. Different but great. The KEFs don't work with Outlaw and the 1.8's don't work with the ST-70 so I'm a 2 system guy for now.

 

[Will3]

Four years late I know, but to add, I play CD's on my BDP-S2000ES thru a Schiit Gungnir A2 DAC.
The BDP also sounds very good thru it's internal DACs as well.