I am using Cardas Golden Cross for pre and power, but Audio Magic for Sony. All interconnects are AQ Diamond X3.
To add DAC or replace CDP?
My system consists of VPI Aries, Pass Xono, Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE, Pass X600, and Sonus Faber Amati. When CD format war began two years ago, I bought a Sony SCD-777ES to replace my ARC CD2. Overall, I am happy with the sound on both red book and SACD. I know there are better sounding red book player or DAC out there, but I can't decide the sensible things to do to get better CD sound. CDP or DAC that I am considering are AA Capitole, AA Prima, Audiomeca Mephisto, Electrocompanient EMC-1, and ECD-1.
Since I want to keep my analog setup despite my small record collections, I will continue to keep a pre amp in the loop. Will I lose the benefit of AA Capitole's variable output by inserting an active pre amp in between? Also, I already invested in some SACD software, it make sense to keep my SACD player. Will adding a DAC be better than adding a CDP? Ideally, I will love to have less boxes, but Accuphase is a little beyond my reach right now and two boxes will have to do.
I listen mostly to classical, some jazz, and I love full body sound.
David
Since I want to keep my analog setup despite my small record collections, I will continue to keep a pre amp in the loop. Will I lose the benefit of AA Capitole's variable output by inserting an active pre amp in between? Also, I already invested in some SACD software, it make sense to keep my SACD player. Will adding a DAC be better than adding a CDP? Ideally, I will love to have less boxes, but Accuphase is a little beyond my reach right now and two boxes will have to do.
I listen mostly to classical, some jazz, and I love full body sound.
David