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Tube CDP vs CDP/DAC Combo

Like many others on the Gon, I'm going back and forth on CDPs. I've narrowed my search to the AH! Njoe 4000, and the Cambrige Audio 640 as transport to a Conrad Johnson D/A3 DAC that I bought recently. Music Hall 100 and the Rotel 1072 round out the list. My preamp is a tubed CJ12L. Any observations on the AH! Can there be too much tube in a system? Conversely, given the age of the CJ DAC, would I be underutilizing the 640. Can't find much info on the DAC guts. But I thought that the 640 may be a good pairing with the DAC due to its extremely low jitter design. I guess the Music Hall could be paired with the DAC also. Same questions as 640. ANy insights would be appreciated. Dave
italian

Showing 2 responses by bigkidz

bigkidz
3,312 posts
 
Dave,

What digital cable are you using? You won't get the full potential out of any DAC without a good digital cable. I have tired a few in the $150 - $300 used price range and can tell you that stepping up to a better cable made a bigger difference in my system. The better cable produced a deeper and wider soundstage, a more musical and relaxed sound. Overall the different transports that I tried were not as beneficial versus upgrading the digital cable.

Happy Listeing.
bigkidz
3,312 posts
 
Try the Audience cable, one of the best I have tried at the used price. I have moved on from the Audience but it cost me up some to get a better sounding cable.

Happy Listening.
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