Digital front end question


I've been out of High End audio for 9 years, and have just jumped back in. I need to know if digital front ends have changed that much in 9 years ... Can a Theta DS Pro Basic IIIa with a good transport compete with a Marantz 8001 ? And would I be insane to buy a $170 Oppo 980H and have Ric at EVS do $1100 worth of mods as my front end ? I already have a good transport, and can buy a used Theta Dac like mentioned above for $500 ...
timtim

Showing 1 response by tweak1

The biggest problem with separate dac/trans is the interconnection. Unless you have BNC or better I2Bus, it will transfer in the lowly SPIDF.

By getting a player you eliminate the SPIDF a digital interconnect, a power cord, a shelf, iso devices...

Players such as the Raysoinc 168 als bring a fantastic variable balanced tube output. Meaning you can forgo a preamp. I sold my $3K pre after breakin and comparison.

MSRP for 168 is only $2549