2. digital
  3. 123545-2581

up to $2,500 to spend............

At crossroads....need input...

Lets say....if one has a budget of $2,500 to spend. Thinking of other digital playback options besides SACD or CD Player route.

Though not a newbie...I am not tech inclined and prefer a system that is simple. I have all the cabling neccessary for dedicated cdps...ie...rca interconnects...a nice powercord. Don't need super convenience of accessing music/songs at a mere touch of the Ipad etc etc. I really am ok with getting up to change Cds (remote a must though). I am fine with just sacd or cd (95 percent of my collection is redbook cd)...having to do without  spotify or tidal is fine...at least for next 5 years. 

I am after a certain SQ though. Rich and full bodied sound...I listen to jazz vocal and acoustic instrumental almost exclusively. Smooth non etched top end. Detail is nice but I am ok with sacrificing some detail for an overall smooth non fatiguing listening experience.

Am I able to get into other options in digital playback with the above budget or should I stick with the good olde SACD/CD player?

Thanks!


pc123v
djfst
169 posts
 
Based on your wants in sound quality, that would lean heavily toward a tube based CD player.  I used the EAR Acute 3 in the past, put Amperex 7308 tubes in it, and was exactly what you are talking about.  These are my tastes as well.  It only did redbook CD though (no SACDs).  It does have a pretty good DAC too.  I got mine used for around $3000.

Other tube units are AMR, Cary, etc.  Solid-state doesn't match the full-bodied and smooth sound of tubes, but does better in detail and other facets.  Just my experience with digital components thus far. 
djfst
169 posts
 
I also hear Modwright is a good option too.  Scott from Vivahifi raves about the Modwright for being a great value option, smooth and
non- fatiguing sound.  This would also be a tubed CD player.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

If going for the best Redbook (PCM) replay, I suggest a well reviewed dac that uses Mulitibit Ladder dacs inside, not Delta Sigma type converters. Unfortunately Ladder Multibit dac won’t do sacd or high-rez which is no great loss and are to me BS anyway

As Schitt's Mike Moffet explains here in an off hand manner.

21 Bits, No Guessing: Mission-Critical D/A Technology
When doctors are trying to diagnose whether you have gas or cancer from MRI results, or when the military is trying to ensure a missile hits an ammo dump and not a nunnery next door, they don’t use “24 bit” or “32 bit” delta-sigma D/A converters. Instead, they rely on precision, multibit ladder DACs, like the Analog Devices AD5791. This allows them the bit-perfect precision they need for critical applications, rather than the guesswork of a delta-sigma. We chose this same critical technology for Yggdrasil. Following these unique D/A converters are sophisticated discrete JFET buffers and summers.


mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,940 posts
 
+1 on the Modwright(s)
michaela
314 posts
 
+2 on a Modwright Oppo 105D, it really is an absolute bargain used for $2,500.00, I am very impressed with mine and I haven't really started tube rolling in it yet.
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