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Budget DAC vs new Player

Hello,

I have a Rotel 855CD which has given me excellent service. Recently, I tried a new Emotiva ERC-1 ($400) with mixed results. While the soundstage depth on the Emotiva was superior, the Rotel bested the ERC-1 at the low end and for accurate timbre (a clarinet on the Rotel sounded more like an oboe on the Emotiva!)

So, given that I have limited funds to work with, I was wondering if I should try a DAC, such as the KECES DA-131 Mk II. Or, dollar for dollar value, should I look for another CD Player?

My working assumption is that the limitation on the Rotel is the chipset, not the transport.

Most of my listening is classical music.

Any suggestions or comments you might care to offer will be appreciated.

Rotel 855 CD
NAD T-163 pre/pro
Emotiva UPA 2 amp
Klipsch KG 4

Many thanks,

Jon
opteron05

Showing 3 responses by johnnyb53

johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
What type of digital link are you using between the Rotel player and the NAD pre/pro?
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
08-10-09: Johnnyb53
What type of digital link are you using between the Rotel player and the NAD pre/pro?

08-11-09: Opteron05
I am now using a 1 meter digital coax cable to link the two.
Uh, yeah, but what kind, what quality? You can use anything from a $6 composite video cable to a $350 Illuminati Orchid to a $650 AudioQuest Eagle Eye... and beyond. There are claims that some SP/DIF links hold true to the 75 ohm standard better than others, and therefore introduce less jitter into the digital datastream. My first experience with a digital cable that made a difference was the $99 entry-level Transparent. For me there was no going back. Currently I use a JPS Superconductor digital link.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
08-13-09: Opteron05
...While I recognize that all cables and connectors can have a significant effect on sound, my limited budget forces me to look for the greatest dollar cost / benefit in my system.

...So, for now, at least, I feel that I would realize a more significant effect from a higher quality DAC at $299 (The Music Fidelity V-DAC) than I would from changing to a higher cost cable...
Well, what I am getting at is that since you have a fairly recent DAC in your NAD pre/pro, and are contemplating getting an Emotiva UMC-1, which has an even later generation upconvertling DAC, maybe it's more cost-effective to upgrade the digital link to get the best use of the DACs you have or plan to have, rather than buying yet a third DAC in the V-DAC.

There are some good coax digital cables for significantly less than the V-DAC, such as the Analysis Plus Black for $75/meter, AudioQuest VDM-1 for $65/meter, or Cardas High Speed at $107.

That said, I've heard very good things about the V-DAC, not just from professional reviews, but from a long-distance friend who bought an Oppo DV-980H, a V-DAC, and Cardas High Speed digital cable rather than a $600 CD player. He's VERY happy with his choice.
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