2. digital
  3. 1208267983

Getting ready for the future?

Your thoughts please:

I am currently looking around in order to purchase (i) a new CD-player and (ii) a new DVD/Blue-Ray player. I am using Meridian 800v2 for CD and DVD and Marantz SA12 S1 for SACD. I have a lot op problems with the Meridian so will have to replace it anyway for CD and DVD.

I find it really difficult to establish which amount of money I will have to pay to get a first class system again and whether I should invest in a state of the art CD-player or buy a mediaplayer. I only have 10 SACDs so the upgrade of the Marantz is not so important. I am hesitating between the following options:

(a) buy a used Linn Unidisk 1.1 and a blue-ray player in the future (will have to wait for the Marantz and Denon-players);
(b) buy a new Linn Akurate DS mediaplayer, some old CD-player to be used as transport only (old Sony ES?) and a cheap blue-ray player;
(c) buy a used Linn Unidisk 2.1, a Wadia iTransport and Apple iPod 160 Gb and a blue-ray player;
(d) buy a new Linn Akurate DS mediaplayer and Linn Unidisk SC and wait for state of the art blu-ray player.

Rest of the system is Krell Showcase processor, Krell KAV 2250 amplifier to drive B&W 803D and Linn 5125 to drive B&W 805s.

I use stereo/DVD/SACD in a 75/15/10 ratio and want to spend around 6000-7000 euro (9000-11000 USD). Any thoughts on this?
lonned00
2 responses Add your response
1350
4 posts
 
I had a similar process I just went through and decided on the Apple TV as a source feeding a Esoteric G25 reclocker/upconverter into a Esoteric D-03 DAC. So I spent only $300 on the Apple TV where I now have all my CD's saved and around $16,000 on the rest. This now gives me state of the art sound.

You could do the same with the Esoteric D-05 dac which is around $7500, which upsamples as well.

I see no point in spending any money on a disc player at this time, except for a cheap Blu-ray player. Everything else should be digitally stored and go into an external DAC and Apple TV is the best interface for the money out there by a mile.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
isanchez
276 posts
 

1350, what cable are you using out the Apple TV?

I'm also contemplating simplifying my digital playback. I've done a test over the weekend running a cheap toslink optical cable out the Apple TV feeding the Benchmark DAC, but I didn't like the results. The sound seemed more detailed, but there was a lack of focus. The whole frequency range shifted upwards, more airy highs but at the expense of lower frequency definition and impact.

I was considering getting the Audioquest Optilink 5 toslink cable to see if I can get a more balanced and focused sound.

Thanks,

iSanchez

Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Revelation Audio Labs CryoSilver Reference HDMI cable
for use in i2s audio applications, all lengths available
80x80
Mytek Stereo192-DSD DAC
80x80
Audiobyte Hydravox DAC