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5+ years old $5k player vs. current $2k player

Hi,
Been thinking the above question: which one would be a better choice?

Price for these older players (e.g. Esoteric, Wadia, etc.) ends up being in similar price than recent vintages like Ayon, PS Audio, etc. And perhaps even the Oppo as a transport?

Did CD technology really improve significantly in the last few years such that these "cheaper" but newer players will out perform the older but top-line players?

Especially player like the PS Audio PWT, the concept is certainly new (for CD transport) & the theory does make sense...
hobieboyca

Showing 5 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Hi Lewinskih,
My impression of the Metrum per Srajan`s review and comparision with the APL NWO-M,TotalDAC etc. was based on redbook 16/44.1 playback(CD disc). He certainly did approved of it`s Hi-RES performance with the April Music U3 also.In his 2nd opinion article on the TotalDAC with it`s multiple DAC comparisons, I believe these were conducted in redbook native rate format,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Regarding PS Audio Perfect Wave, I have no experience with the DAC. The PWT I own and know well. There are several past threads where PWT users compared them to their older expensive/highly rated transports, most found the PWT a definite step above once broken-in.

The PWT has been sincerely wonderful in my experience.
Best Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Update,
I asked Srajan his opinion regarding Metrum`s performance with standard redbook CD.I received an email from Srajan this morning. He`s aware of the internet "buzz" saying the Metrum is only good with up sampled rate/high RES files. He completely disagrees and said it`s just fine with 16/44.1 signal. Traditional CD transports will be fine.
Best Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Tubegroover,
You may want to research the Metrum Octave DAC as an example of a very modern NOS DAC that seemingly combines organic/natural sound with high resolution and superior frequency extention.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,229 posts
 
Tubegroover,
I have`nt heard it, I ordered one based on 6 moons.com review and the multiple mentions/comparisions in other reviews on that site.My track record with highly impressive reviews per Srajan are spot on so far. In this case there`s no where to hear the Metrum that I`m aware of.

I purchased my Yamamoto DAC the same way and it`s absolutely fine.It seems the Metrum Octave is an improvement over the yammy.
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