OP, if you want dac suggestions specific to your system, you might start a new post with a different title. Let people know what you have and your budget.
Need a new CD player. Suggestions please.
The past 3 years I've put together a modest new system including a NAD C538 that is failing. It doesn't sound as good as it used to even with an external DAC and if you skip a track it doesn't play the first few seconds of the next track.
Looking for a replacement has been frustrating. My last CD player was a Sony ES 400 disc changer that played everything including SACD. I almost wish I hadn't let it go when I moved.
The CD players that appeal to me are in the $3k to $5k range. I'm not sure I want to spend that much. Can somebody recommend a new CD player for $1k or less? I'm fine with a transport and don't mind using an external DAC. I have a smattering of SACD's but a non SACD player wouldn't be the end of the world.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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OP Lot's of DAC recommendations are going to come your way, though I did not see your budget.....the recommendations will change based on that. I can deduce (from your original budget and the 9000s $1,500 purchase price, that it is $2,000 to $3,500? My $2,000 recommendation is super easy to make, the Denafrips Pontus 15th. It is the same the next level up Venus 12th. Do some reading, but in my opinion it is the best DAC $3,000 or less.....does most everything right, and nothing wrong, and is a tremendous bargain |
I would get a cheap OPPO transport that plays everything, mine cost $150 used. Then spend $600-$900 to get a GeerFab D.BOB. You will need a DAC that supports the D.BOB. I had a Benchmark DAC3B that worked flawlessly with it. However, I sold it and now my 2 remaining DACs, the Schitt Yggi+ OG and the Schitt Yggi+ MIB, do not do DSD so the D.BOB is sidelined. DACs that support the D.BOB can range in costs from $200-$100 000. I was thinking of spending $400 to buy a used Chord Mojo 2 as a stop gap until I get a killer ESS chip-based DAC that I like much more than both Yggi+ I own. That DAC will work with the D.BOB since it does DSD over PCM. Read the Stereophile review. GeerFab Audio D.BOB digital breakout box | Stereophile.com BTW - my last CD player was a modified Sony SCD-1. The D.BOB is no slouch and will surpass the great modded SCD-1 when I get the new DAC ($24k). |
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