Upgrading digital side

@yyzsantabarbara Thanks for the feedback on the GeerFab device. I have a large collection of SACDs, but after my Marantz SACD broke three years ago I didn't bother to buy another SACD player. I do have a very nice transport, Ayon CD-T, which is excellent with regular redbook CDs. I am considering GeerFab as an alternative so I can get the maximum out of my SACDs. Unfortunately, there is very little discussion on this device from a sound quality perspective. Most of my SACDs are hybrid so I can still use them with my existing transport with or without this device.

Some questions I have ...

How much of an improvement can I expect playing my hybrid SACDs with this device in the chain? Are we talking a noticeable improvement or subtle at best?

Can I expect that the combination of my CD transport and GeerFab will give me the performance that is on par with a dedicated SACD player?

Any issues or shortcomings I should be aware of?

Thanks for your feedback.

@arafiq My Sony SCD-1 modded by Vacuum State to Level 5+ was one of my fav sources. It was not as detailed as the newer DACs but the sound coming from it was mesmerizing. The stock SCD-1 was not as good as the modded one. So that was my baseline for SACD, the CD section was OK. The SCD-1a died a few years ago.

While the SCD-1 was working I did a head-2-heed with the D.BOB and the D.BOB was more detailed than the SCD-1 but it lacked that terrific musicality of the Sony. Now I attribute that to the Benchmark DAC3B that I used with the D.BOB. It was a good combo but the SCD-1 was preferred.

Now the Allnic DAC that I wanted to hear with the D.BOB is incredible. It is the most detailed DAC, and it is incredibly holographic. Even though it uses a ESS chip the secret sauce is the OTL/OCL output. If it works with the D.BOB and I am almost certain it will (as is the D.BOB designer) it should be the very best sound from these SACD’s I own. I expect to stream with my Sonore OpticalRendu for most of the time with the Allnic but having the D.BOB working with it will be a bonus.

I am listening to the D.BOB today with my ’DIY headphones’, the Magnepan Mini with KEF KC62 sub and the RME DAC I mentioned previously, and it is really good. Not as good as the Sony but I am having a great time listening to these disks.

If the D.BOB works with my Schiit Yggi+ OG and the OPPO bdp-103 that is one its way to me. I may buy another D.BOB to use in my office. I saw an ad from B&H web store for $599 for the D.BOB. If you do not like it sell me yours, I will likely buy a cheap DAC in the future if the Yggi+ does not work with the D.BOB. The Yggi+ OG stays with me forever.

Hello @walt8489 ,  you have gotten some good input here, partly due to your well phrased topic.  @soix as usual is lending top advice.

I have extensive experience with the MM Tambaqui, with its internal Roon bridge, an Auralic Aries streamer, and finally a Grimm MU1 running Roon core and streaming to the Tambaqui.  Each version was progressively better.  The Aries breathed life and emotion into the excellent Tambaqui, but the MU1 is the perfect pairing with this world class DAC.  One would be happy with this combo I think.  The Grimm running Roon core and serving the DAC is elegant, avoiding a separate core completely.  I now use the Grimm as Roon core for a MM Makua with onboard Tambaqui.  Good power cables and AES cable are important. I do have a lifetime Roon subscription and am very used to it’s software.

My reference system uses this Roon core, with an Aries serving the amazing Master Fidelity Nadac C and D.  I am still searching for the nirvana streamer to sit with the Nadacs.
 

I have also listened to the MU 2 and it is nice as well, but not as nice as the MU1 / Tambaqui combo.  It is appealing though as another box and 2 cables go away with small sacrifices.

I do not think the Bricasti is on this level.

I am anxious to hear the new U2X streamer by Lumin, paired with the Nadacs.

I am a Roon fan, and love the software and metadata, playlists and ease of use.  I avoid any of its DSP.  I have had an Aurender N20 in my home, but it did not sound better, and a JCAT S1 streamer, which sounded great but did not have a Roon option

As for spinning any type of CD, I no longer am compelled.

please let us know where you go with this!  Ken.

After considering all of the alternatives, talking to my local dealer and auditioning the components, I decided to get an Innuos Stream 3 and a Berkeley Alpha 3 DAC with a USB converter.  Being able to actually listen to something is a big advantage.  The combination sounds great and it's within budget.

Thanks everyone for all of the excellent recommendations.

Very nice.  Congrats and enjoy!!!