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From Audio Research ref cd player to what ? (Cd Transport, streamer, Dac.....?)

I have sold my Ref cd7 as I was willing to upgrade. I thought buying a new dac with a new transport , giving more versatility would be better.
I realize now that lots of transport are available and that finally I just have 200 cd’s or so and the investment on a transport is maybe not that wise....

What quality of transport do I need to buy to be at least at the level of the cd7 ? Moving up the scale I have seen the nuprime cdt 10,  simaudio 260d or t , a newly developed project rst2, or the jay’s cdt2 mk2.

What quality of DAC for not to be disappointed with my previous cd7 ? I have seen Ayre  Codex or Yggdrasil or Bryston BDA3 or psaudio , or mytek....

Is it better to buy a streamer as I don’t have thousands of cd’s ? But what ?

All of this will be associated to an Audio Research Ref3 ,  2x Audio Research Ref 250 , Magnepan 20.7.
I don’t like anemic sound and prefer full bodied, romantic, yet envelopping and textured sound.
I don’t need over transparency as my above rig is sufficiently transparent to let everything appear even in the smallest details.

What do you think ?
thank you


antmou
11 responses Add your response
rego
378 posts
 
CD Transport cost goes to a big $$$ (dollar) range for numerous points of discussion and all for 44/16 (redbook) quality files.
Not discounting CD quality only pointing out that savings on a disk transport can be applied to an upgraded streaming transport.
Rip CDs and / or invest in HiRez files ... a custom built PC could be used for CD playback.
HiRez files will give a noticeable gain in playback.
Also aim a little higher for a DAC.
My UDP-203 >>> Coax / WiFi >>> Integrated / Network is all I use for CD
Playback.
soix
8,648 posts
 
Is it better to buy a streamer as I don’t have thousands of cd’s? But what ?
Yes!  I’d highly recommend an Innuos Zen Mk3 streamer/server as it’ll allow you to rip all your CDs right into it and also start streaming — no transport (or computer) necessary.  The significant added benefit is that all your music will now be at your fingertips in any order you want — no more getting up to search for and load individual CDs.  Pair the Innuos with a good tube DAC like the Audio Mirror Tubadour SE Mklll or MHDT Pagoda (both available with in-home trial periods) and I think you’ll be thrilled.  Hope this helps, and best of luck in your search. 

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
295 posts
 
@antmou FWIW-I have Audio Research REF5SE and a REF 75. I’m using the PS Audio Directstream DAC with a streaming bridge and a Cambridge CXC transport. They mate really well for the reasons you articulated, in what you are looking for.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I have sold my Ref cd7 as I was willing to upgrade. I thought buying a new dac with a new transport I realize now that lots of transport are available and that finally I just have 200 cd’s or so and the investment on a transport is maybe not that wise....
Stick with your CD’s Schiit will have a very affordable transport out soon which if history serves will be a good one, and won’t break the bank. And should be better than the $400 Cambridge I have mentioned, because the Schiit CDT designer is the legendary (Theta Digital designer) Mike Moffat

Too many of my friends sold their CD collections and transports to go streaming/server way, and chopping and changing them and the software to get some satisfaction, and in the end have lost their passion for music and audio.
Never again to have music sessions or equipment comparing sessions at their place with their audio friends like they did before they switched. They change the subject if anyone talks about it.

Cheers George
soix
8,648 posts
 
Too many of my friends sold their CD collections and transports to go streaming/server way, and chopping and changing them and the software to get some satisfaction, and in the end have lost their passion for music and audio.
I went the streaming way about a year ago and my passion for music and audio has if anything been boosted and re-energized by my exposure to worlds of awesome new music I would’ve otherwise never heard.  I never sold my CDs, but I honestly haven’t even touched them since I started with Qobuz — and I don’t miss them in the least.  Just my experience. 

rego
378 posts
 
... also ... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-resolution-audio-cantata-music-center-cd-player
antmou OP
8 posts
 
thank you all for your answers and advices

@wharfy Thank you this is probably the route I will take
@georgehifi I have also seen the Jay’s cdt2 mk2 or the Simaudio 260

I start to think that the Jay’s would be probably too detailed... having seen the installations of people that have highly praised it (big Tannoy’s.....). I prefer maybe to bet on something that is not mentioned as airy, detailed.... in its attributes but more a little warmish.
I start to think some equipments are voiced so as to compensate some speakers or installations that lack openess, air or details, which probably is most of the market with installations that are not on the high-end neutral side but being a little closed-in  , warm or boxy sounding (just my estimation). Having quite recent ARC and Magnepan equipments I don’t need to compensate..... or maybe a little on the opposite side , reason why of the moon 260d. I don’t know about the Schiit but why not. Now the question is when .....?


georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
@georgehifi I have also seen the Jay’s cdt2 mk2 

Yeah it's nice, but to me expensive. And I did query the availability and price of the laser, and from suppliers like the ones usual on ebay, in case they go belly up next week/year.

To me there's nothing worse that a nice expensive product like a CDP or CDT that there's no laser for easily at a decent price, or worse unobtainium, then you have junk.
Like the magic Mark Levinson No.39 now junk if you can't find a new  Sony-KSS-151A laser, try too find a new one of those (not used). 
  
Cheers George

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,169 posts
 
I have a player just for Blu Ray movies and occasional CD playback. All my CDs have been downloaded to a hard drive and are managed by an Apple Mini and the program Pure Music which upsamples everything to 24/192. Most of my music now comes from HD Tracks in 24/96 or above.
I'll never by another high end CD player or transport. Don't need it.
wharfy's avatar
wharfy
295 posts
 
@antmou Enjoy!
antmou OP
8 posts
 
I ordered a moon 260dt (cd transport) as I prefer to support Occidental business and seems it is more on the path of what I am looking for with my already very transparent system.
I need to find a used DAC with the same preferences. Either an “expensive” one (2000-2500$) or lesser like a bryston bda-1 at 700$ waiting for more in a next step..... ?
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