Old Digital vs New digital.


I'm younger, mid 20's. I have only really recently started to get interested in enhancing my music, to a truely high end level of sound. I purchased a NAD541i last year, which was connected to a SimAudio Intergrated. I was allowed to audition a Museatex Meilor Bitstream DAC. This DAC is based off a 1992 Meitner Design and was heavily modified by John Wright 6months ago. The core is still an 18 bit DAC. John recently wrote me an email with a bold statement that he'd put the DAC I currently have up against anything on the market for Redbook CD's.

I wondered though, how can a chipset that was orginally used in Meitner gear 10 years ago sound so good today? I realize that the NAD was a very entry level CDP, and I've only listened to single Box CDPS all under $3k in comparision, but this DAC along with a Moray James Cable still pulls ahead. How can this be? Are the majority of the redbook designers going down an ill path? Are they focusing on improving problems that no longer exist? Are they trying to fix something that isn't broken while forgetting to fix the real issues?

Since first coming to this site/forum I look at alot of systems. The ones that make me wanna hear them are all using older CDP's from Wadia, Sonic Frontiers and CAL audio. The people who seem to have come full circle, had the cash to play and learn and found that they can acheive superior digital playback by going back and finding that CDP that isn't the latest and greatest (Aside from the SACD/DVD audio superplayers like the Linn, EMM Labs, etc) To my amazements these systems also use an LP as a core playback source. I have a hard time understanding all of this, but it is interesting. I'm a firm believer in source first, that much I have learned, but I've also found that this quest might be misleading and you might be better going back to the future in your quest to solidify your digital frontend.
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Showing 1 response by philbrady

I recently installed an IDAT in muy system and am very pleased. I was using a Philips DVD 963 as a stand alone player and it is now used as a transport. I use it with an entry level Monster digital cable. Versus the 963 the highs are now more extended, more detail and better soundstaging. I also have a modest system that I tried it in and the difference it made it on that is staggering. I now will be looking for another IDAT for that system.