AudiogoN Forums: Most musical player or DAC?

Most musical player or DAC?

Forgive up front if there is other(s) threads on this. Thanks in advance for posting links if you know of them. I'm looking for a "musical" CD player or DAC. I've been through 4 cd players so far, they were all nice in some respects, but none have really grabbed me by the heartstrings (or lapels) and stopped me in my tracks with musicality. Don't know if I should be looking for a tubed variety or not. All I know is I want something that moves me. A very 3D soundstage, unbelievable midrange, good extension at the extremes. I would rather have romantic over detailed and analytical, but transparency and a sense of air would I think be also in the mix. Nothing laid back either, I want something that engages.

My listening tastes are rock, Soul, acoustic w/vocals (male/female), blues, R&B, a bit of electronica.

Any thoughts and experiences are appreciated.

Tholt (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-24-09

Responses (1-26 of 26)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

02-24-09 Tholt i'd say you want some sort of tube in your system. w ... Edo_musica

02-24-09 Thanks ed. i have no doubt there are other threads on this t ... Tholt

02-24-09 Hmm. $1k for a dac and cd player seems tight. looks like you ... Edo_musica

02-24-09 Oh, i forgot to mention that monarchy dacs can be picked up ... Edo_musica

02-24-09 I know. i'd consider spending more if i was really convinced ... Tholt

02-24-09 Around $1k, with those requirements, i would recommend eithe ... Tobias

02-24-09 I'd add a used audio logic 34 or 2400 dac to the possible un ... Rcprince

02-24-09 Tholt, what players have you owned (or presently own) beside ... Tvad

02-24-09 I've had an older onkyo carousel player from the early 90's, ... Tholt

02-24-09 Tholt, you will hear a significant difference with the ref 9 ... Tvad

02-24-09 Regarding a dac, you might consider a mhdt labs paradisea+ o ... Tvad

02-24-09 Http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl Robertbrown

02-24-09 Robertbrown, try pasting your link to see where it leads. i ... Tvad

02-25-09 Robertbrown your reply is very zen. perhaps i need to 'searc ... Tholt

02-25-09 Tholt, thanks for the clarification. my opinion of the ref 8 ... Tvad

02-25-09 You have and i appreciate your input, suggestions and well w ... Tholt

02-25-09 If on a budget, rega planet, if you can spend more go for au ... Goldorak

02-25-09 I've owned wadias, audio aero capitole, ayre d1xe, wavelengt ... Ejlif

02-25-09 I've heard about the mhdt. did a little research based on an ... Tholt

02-25-09 I'd second the mhdt havana (and the paradisea if it's anythi ... Mb9061

02-25-09 If you can barely hear the difference between a $3k+ cd play ... Hens

02-25-09 I think that's more a testament to how good the ps1 actually ... Tholt

02-26-09: Hens
Fair enough Tholt! I've not heard a PS 1 - I have a PS-2 and it sounds only average to me - nowhere in the league of even an older Arcam Alpha 7SE player. Perhaps the PS-2 was not as good sonically as the PS-1, which is entirely possible. Good luck with your search.
Hens (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-26-09 The underground raves refer to the original ps1 model #scph- ... Tholt

02-26-09 I third the mhdt labs havana. judging from the rest of your ... Aljordan

02-27-09 I'll vouch for the mhdt paradisea especially with the nos tu ... Mapman