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Current Inexpensive CD Vs High Priced 90's

Looking for advice as there are few dealers in my area to make comparisons with my own ears.

I'm having a bad stereo year & a bad financial year. Latest piece of gear to go is my PS Audio SL3 D/A. Repair MAY be an option, but there are no highly regarded shops anywhere near me.

The PS Audio is HDCD, but tops out at 20/96. I've been running the PS Audio with a 90's Teac/Esoteric P10 & Illuminati Digital Cable. The combined list on the 2 pieces + cable in the 90's when purchased was around $3200. I like the sound of the combination quite a bit.

With that said, how much of a downgrade sonically would the Oppo DV-980H be compared to my current rig?

Any other suggestions for an inexpensive solution (either 1 piece or outboard d/a)? My Esoteric Transport still plays perfectly, but on cdr's sometimes thinks about it for awhile before playing.

The rest of the system is a Mod Squad Line Drive deluxe pre, a mediocre Adcom 555 Mk 2 that I also hope to replace, NHT 2.5I speakers & various 90's Tara cables.
moomoo
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I was extrapolating from the equipment I use and their placement on the HIFICRITIC rating system. I have a Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 which is discontinued and a Audio Synthesis DAX. Their test of the V-DAC gave it a rating of 42, which is close to a $10000 DAC they recently tested and is one of the higher ratings they have given. They said it was one the biggest bargains in audio. Here is their archive ratings from their web site. Their current tests aren't available on line as they take no ads and selling the mag is the only way they keep going.





Colloms Archive: CD Player Sound Reference

Accuphase DP70v cd/pre 33
Arcam CD192 15
Arcam Solo (CD sect.) 16
Audiolab 8000 CDP 15
Audio Note DAC 5 53
Audio Synthesis DAX 46
Audio Synthesis DAX Decade 50
Boulder 2020 Dac 32
Cambridge Audio CD1 ('87) 14.5
Cary 300 CD 26
Chord DSC 1500 DAC 35
Classe DAC 1 26
Creek Classic 22
DCS Elgar 48 hd, 38 (cd input)
Krell MD10 - 64 43
Krell KPS 20 i 48
Krell KPS25cx 50
Krell KPS28 cd 35
Krell 300i CD 28
Linn Sondek CD12 42
Linn Karik/Numerik CD/T 17
Marantz CD 65 SE 12.5
Marantz CD-7 CDP 50
Marantz CD 17 KI 22
Marantz CD60 SE 15
Marantz CD 85 14
Mark Levinson ML30dac /T 45
Meridian 602 CDT 23
Meridian 203 DAC 25
Meridian MCD mk1 8
Muse Model 9 CD 30
Naim CD 5i 14
Naim cds2 50
Naim cds3 78
Naim CD 555 89
Resolution Audio OPUS 21 cdp 40
Revox B226S CDP 9.4
Sony 337 SE CDP 12.5
Sony SCD1 CD38 / SACD 55
Sony 557es 11.5
Wadia 16 43
Wadia 860 45
Wadia 7/8 dacT 47
Zanden 3 box CDP 105

Please see our ratings explained page to find out more about Colloms sound quality ratings.

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© HIFICRITIC Ltd. 2006, all rights reserved
moomoo OP
81 posts
 
Stanwal, thank you for your help! If Martin Colloms is saying it's almost twice as good as the Meridians, it's likely also better then my PS Audio, which I'd say was about 30% better then the Meridians.

Do you know if he gave it the 42 with or without the add on $199 power supply?
moomoo OP
81 posts
 
Pettyofficer, the 578 is much better with SACD then with CD.
moomoo OP
81 posts
 
I just s/w a new local dealer I wasn't previously aware of who carries the MF, with a 30 money back & 60 day 100% exchange, so I'll likely be checking it out.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
It was without any added power supply, just as it comes over here for $299.
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