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Pioneer Elite DV-C36 as a transport, or get CDP?

Folks here on Audiogon have graciously helped me discern that I can add a DAC to my system as I am trying upgrade my two channel sound.

Is the Pioneer Elite DV-C36 Ok to use as a transport?
A dealer has suggested to me that this does not read CD's very well, but is great for DVD's.

In scanning other forums and posts, it seems like a lot of folks use similar level players as transports.

He is suggesting getting a decent integrated CDP for two channel as an alternative to a DAC (Arcam 62, or 72).

Thanks for input.
lkdog

Showing 2 responses by lkdog

lkdog OP
417 posts
 
Phild -

Thanks for the insight. The Pioneer does something to separate the two functions by switching to a CD Mode when one wants to play a CD versus a DVD. I have no idea whether they separate some electronics. I don't know what/if it replaced a previous model. It is a 5 disc changer and seems to be their entry level model in the Elite Series.

My budget is around $4-500 for this upgrade (after the Xmas bills get paid :>

I would be buying used whether it was a CDP with a better transport and built in DAC than what I have, or an outboard DAC/upsampler.

I have 3 digital inputs in my receiver so that is not an issue. I will be running the new (used) DAC/upsampler, or CDP via analog ins anyway through the analog bypass inputs in the receiver to avoid the DSP stuff in the Denon.

I don't mind if I end up having a separate CDP, and actually had that setup until I moved an old Sony CDP CE235 to another system.

I guess this may actually be a common question -

Get a nice used DAC for the probably average transport/DAC in my existing Pioneer, or get a nice used CDP with a hopefully better transport and DAC in it?

Now the outboard DAC/upsampling stuff really kind of interests me as I am actually a computer geek/reseller/builder and the technology that I am finding out about in audio recently is amazing.

Botom line, though, is what might be a better upgrade path for a modest system. I do probably want to do this fairly simply, also if that is possible.

My system is:
Denon 5 ch DTS receiver (1801)
Parasound 1000 hca amp for the fronts only
RBH Sound 61SE fronts
RBH 661SE Center
Polk Audio S6’s for rears
ACI Titan Sub
Pioneer Elite DVD/CD player DV-C36
DH Labs T14 silversonic speaker wire
Tekline TL 2000 RCA interconnect from the Denon L/R preouts to the Parasound amp
Glass Toslink digital cable from Pioneer to Denon

Thanks.
lkdog OP
417 posts
 
Phild-
Thanks. I have seen his name in many threads and
will explore that further.
It would be good to get a really informed opinion about this particular Pioneer as a transport and if it is a problem. I have no idea how one tells whether it is average or not.

It would seem like the DAC implementation and complimentary electronics would have more to do with sound than the actual physical transport. One might assume (maybe wrongly) that after 25 years most mfrs. have the transport down.

Time to do a little more research.

Thanks.
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