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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
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#2
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
"Sathyan Sundaram" wrote in message
om Can you recommend an entry-level ($400 or less, used is fine) HDCD-capable external stereo DAC? It will be used with a Pioneer DV-563 as transport. Either Optical or Coaxial is fine. The overall system is mass market HT (Onkyo electronics, KLH speakers, Radio Shack interconnects) so audiophile-grade is not necessary. At present I can't listen to HDCD's as HDCD's. Redbooks sound a bit veiled and lacking final definition in imaging. (I didn't notice this until listening to SACD's) Or am I better off getting a Cambridge Audio dedicated CD player (500SE)? I recommend that you forget about HDCD. If you have some and they play off-level it would make more sense to rip them on a computer, fix the tracks up with a digital editor, and burn CD-Rs unless you have lots of them. This medium was always a solution looking for a problem. Now, its been obsolesced by DVD-A and SACD, both of which are probably on their way to a nearby part of oblivion. |
#3
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
On Thu, 07 Aug 2003 20:36:08 GMT, MiNE 109
wrote: IMO you'd be better off with a used Arcam or Rotel player with HDCD than with a DAC for the price. I'd look at a speaker upgrade someday. Agreed. In fact, I'd go for a speaker upgrade first, player next, and put off the DAC indefinitely. Kal |
#4
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
Excremental Engeenea'r wrote:
obsolesced I'm impressed! Good job your spelling checker is activated. Well done of figuring that out too. -- Thine |
#5
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 01:05:50 +0100, Thine Deville
wrote: of On. Off. My, how that coffin wreaks havoc with a hernia*. -- Thine *Obligatory dead-Nate mention |
#6
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
Arny Krueger wrote:
"Sathyan Sundaram" wrote ATTN: SATHYAN Can you recommend an entry-level ($400 or less, used is fine) HDCD-capable external stereo DAC? It will be used with a Pioneer DV-563 as transport. Either Optical or Coaxial is fine. The overall system is mass market HT (Onkyo electronics, KLH speakers, Radio Shack interconnects) so audiophile-grade is not necessary. At present I can't listen to HDCD's as HDCD's. Redbooks sound a bit veiled and lacking final definition in imaging. (I didn't notice this until listening to SACD's) Or am I better off getting a Cambridge Audio dedicated CD player (500SE)? I think you should get SACD, Sathyan. I recommend that you forget about HDCD. More precisely, I recommend that you ignore every worthless, fecal-coated trash that comes out of Arnii's mouth. You see, he is trying to pollute this fine thread again just like what he did to the "Vinyl/CD Poll." The reason for all this stupidity is due to his substandard hearing acuity coupled with imbalances to his mental health. He is not well up there you know. No matter how much ass whoopin these two ie Fesrtler & Krooger get here at RAO, they'll keep comin back at you asking for more. Remember what I said about the "mental" part? Well, make a note of it because right now, Fesrtler and Arnii are scratching each others butt. |
#7
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
"JBorg" wrote in message
om I think you should get SACD, Sathyan. Talk is cheap. More precisely, I recommend that you ignore every worthless, fecal-coated trash that comes out of Arnii's mouth. You see, he is trying to pollute this fine thread again just like what he did to the "Vinyl/CD Poll." Let's talk about polluting a thread, Borg. Here Borg, we have from you the first personal attack on the thread. It's actually been a civil thread right up until you crapped all over it. The reason for all this stupidity is due to his substandard hearing acuity coupled with imbalances to his mental health. He is not well up there you know. I think that your foul behavior speaks for itself, Borg. No matter how much ass whoopin these two ie (sic) Fesrtler (sic) & Krooger (sic) get here at RAO, they'll keep comin back at you asking for more. I guess that's your standard for posting on RAO - how much of an ass-whoopin' you can deliver, eh Borg? Remember what I said about the "mental" part? Well, make a note of it because right now, Fesrtler (sic) and Arnii (sic) are scratching each others butt. Borg is such a mental giant that he can't even properly spell the names of the people he attacks! |
#8
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
MiNE 109 wrote in message ...
In article , (Sathyan Sundaram) wrote: Can you recommend an entry-level ($400 or less, used is fine) HDCD-capable external stereo DAC? It will be used with a Pioneer DV-563 as transport. Either Optical or Coaxial is fine. The overall system is mass market HT (Onkyo electronics, KLH speakers, Radio Shack interconnects) so audiophile-grade is not necessary. At present I can't listen to HDCD's as HDCD's. Redbooks sound a bit veiled and lacking final definition in imaging. (I didn't notice this until listening to SACD's) Or am I better off getting a Cambridge Audio dedicated CD player (500SE)? A quick Google shows the Aragon D2A2k; the Musical Fidelity X-DAC; and the Assemblage DAC -2 in approximately your price range. IMO you'd be better off with a used Arcam or Rotel player with HDCD than with a DAC for the price. I'd look at a speaker upgrade someday. And if you want the benefits of HDCD, don't use the digital connection from the player to the receiver, assuming there is one! Stephen Thank you. I will look into the Arcam and Rotel. I think my local audio shop is a Rotel dealer. Upon review, I've discovered I don't have that many HDCD's (a grand total of 4, and three of those come from mass-market labels which probably don't take advantage of the technology). So, I'll drop that requirement. I'm not happy with the sound I'm getting from redbooks. On the same system I listen to SACD, DVD-A, and LP*s and they (the latter only when clean) tend to sound more open, spacious, greater depth, more accurate imaging and more of a "presence". I don't think this is a limitation of redbook technology as I've heard better from expensive players. (I suppose I should mention the genres - I listen to classical [symphonies primarily - Beethoven thru Prokofiev/Shosty], opera [mostly Verdi and Puccini], and jazz [50s-70s]). So the question is: How can I make CDs sound better for about $400. I'm trying to buy SACDs whenever possible but the catalogue is limited. Otherwise I'm tempted to just rebuy on SACD to fix the problem. Do any dedicated CD players do onboard PCM bass management? speakers. I plan to upgrade those once I get a house and can dedicate a room. Right now my listening room is my bedroom with all sorts of obstructions. All I could afford to upgrade to would be Mirage FRx-5 or Energy AC-300, and that for fronts only. In the meantime the KLH are OK for background listening; for serious listening I resort to Grado headphones. thanks Sathyan * = this is not an invitation for a digital vs. vinyl dispute. they can coexist. |
#10
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
MiNE 109 wrote in message ...
Used Rotel or Arcam is still a good bet. I like the Ring DAC although the Arcam 9 is about 50% over your budget at Audiogon. It might be worth it in the long run. One more question: How important is it to have upsampling for redbook playback? |
#11
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HDCD DAC (entry-level)
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