New CDP or DAC? Advice?

[halo]

I'm trying to decide on what to do and I'd appreciate any advice.

My choices are either purchasing a new CDP - Cambridge Audio Azur 540C or the ONIX XCD-88 or adding a DAC - somthing like a Parasound or Adcom - to my existing CDP. They're all in the same boat as far as cost. I just want the best SQ for my $. Thanks in advance.

[heiney9]

My advice go with the outboard Dac. I did and never looked back. People will try to tell you the Cambridge will sound just as good as adding a Dac, but that's not the case. The Dac will sound much better. I have an Adcom and love it. It really made a huge diff when I added it to an already respectable cdp.

H9

[pearsall001]

If the units come with a 30 day trial period I say go for it. I recently demoed a Benchmark DAC & a CIAudio DAC unit. Needless to say both units were returned. For the life of me & my wife we couldn't hear any difference that would warrant keeping either DAC. Then again that's our ears, you might hear something completely different. Half the fun is trying different stuff. But I can honestly say that one item we did try (also a 30 day trial) that made an immediate difference was a MARIGO 3-D SIGNATURE STABLIZER MAT from Music Direct. The difference was like night & day, the music really sounded clearer, more dynamic, more punch in the bass. For my wife to notice the difference & even comment on how much better it sounded is really saying something about a product. Technically I don't know what this thing does but boy does it work. Well so much for my $0.2
Happy hunting!

[halo]

If the units come with a 30 day trial period I say go for it.

Nah, the DAC's I'm considering would be used (ebay or audiogon). The CDP's would be new but in order to return them I'd have to pay shipping twice :mad: .


But I can honestly say that one item we did try (also a 30 day trial) that made an immediate difference was a MARIGO 3-D SIGNATURE STABLIZER MAT from Music Direct.

That's an interesting idea - thanks :)

[steveinaz]

Get an external DAC and upgrade to the Azur 540 later as your transport. I won't recommend a particular DAC, listen for yourself...

[dorokusai]

Cdp.

Light, in a closed transport, huge problem....I could go on, but I'll let you have fun with the tweak :eek:

[shack]

External DACs are overrated IMO

[halo]

Cdp.

Light, in a closed transport, huge problem....I could go on, but I'll let you have fun with the tweak :eek:

I don't understand what you mean bro :confused:

I understand you are endorsing the CDP - I just didn't get the rest.

Thanks for the input everybody - keep 'em going please.

[heiney9]

External DACs are overrated IMO

Obviously you've never heard a good one :) .

[dragon1952]

I'd go with a new CDP. You're not going to get a decent DAC for anywhere near the cost of those CDP's you mention. I'd ditch the Kenwood and go from there.

[shack]

Obviously you've never heard a good one :) .
Yes...I have. More than one actually. And each time I've come away totally underwhelmed. :)

[heiney9]

All I can say is in my experience it made the single biggest improvement so far. And believe me when I purchased it I wasn't expecting a huge improvement, but I was pleasently suprised. No, my cdp wasn't that bad to being with. If you have the cash get Cambridge (new w/ 30 day return) and a used Dac and compare them. You can return the Cambridge or resell the Dac. Everyone here can give you an opinion, but you are the one who has to listen to it. In the end it's what you and your ears decide.

Have fun

H9

[shack]

H9 is right. You MUST try it for yourself. I was exactly the oposite. After several glowing testimonial like H9's I went in expecting night and day. Never happened for me. I heard the Bel Canto DAC2 and MF X-DAC on different occasions with different CDPs, including a SONY :eek: (then again...I like Sony CDPs). Good pre, good amp, good speakers each time. Not once did I feel the difference in SQ justified the price of the DAC. Again this "Just My Opinion". YMMV

[halo]

OK - Seems like the CDP is probably the way I'm going to go. So, aside from the two I already mentioned, any other brands/models in that price range come to mind? I'd rather purchase a new one over something used.

H9 You're right - it is my decision. I just like to have the advice of friends who know a lot more about hifi than I do over a sales person's or a (probably biased) magazine's article. You've given me some good advice and I appreciate it but, like I said, if I buy the Azur & return it - I foot the bill for shipping both ways.

Shack - thanks for the advice. What's YMMV? & BTW I value your opinion.

Where is Trey? Didn't he just buy the Onix?

Thanks again for all the advice. Keep it coming :)

[SCompRacer]

YMMV Your Mileage May Vary.

[shack]

Shack - thanks for the advice. What's YMMV?
Your mileage may vary (ie: your experience may differ from mine)

[heiney9]

OK - Seems like the CDP may be the way to go & if so, aside from the two I already mentioned, any other brands/models in that price range come to mind? I'd rather purchase a new one over something used.

H9 You're right - it is my decision. I just like to have the advice of friends who know a lot more about hifi than I do over a sales person's or a (probably biased) magazine's article. You've given me some good advice and I appreciate it but, like I said, if I buy the Azur & return it - I foot the bill for shipping both ways.

Shack - thanks for the advice. What's YMMV?

Where is Trey? Didn't he just buy the Onix?

Thanks again for all the advice. Keep it coming :)

I completely understand you wanting input....but see, now by going with what the majority said here you're not going to get a chance to see what you may be missing by not choosing the Dac. I know sometimes we can't have our cake and eat it too. Maybe it's not that big of deal to you. :)

Let us know how it turns out

H9

[I-SIG]

In my experience, A DAC made enough difference that I'm chicken to go without it now.

Wes

[SCompRacer]

I just picked up a Parasound DAC 2000 ULTRA for the rig listed in my sig (see post 15). The system actually sounds very good even with that old Adcom GCD-575.

I didn't experience a big improvement, but did get a suttle one with the DAC. In all fairness I don't have much of a cable between the Adcom I'm using as a transport and the DAC now, but one is on the way.

peersool, you have a PM

[halo]

I completely understand you wanting input....but see, now by going with what the majority said here you're not going to get a chance to see what you may be missing by not choosing the Dac.

Let us know how it turns out

H9

Oh, I dunno. I'm just looking to take my rig to the next level. If I buy the azur there is no way to know I can't snag a DAC off epay or audiogon in the near future. You're right about being able to just sell the DAC if I don't like it. I think that almost everyone would agree that the azur is a step up from the kenwood. I've got plenty of time to mess around with a DAC when the time/price is right. I was just thinking that adding a DAC to (ugh!) a Kenwood would be like putting lipstick on a pig. :)

I-SIG - That made me laugh :D

[heiney9]

In my experience, A DAC made enough difference that I'm chicken to go without it now.

Wes

Want to share a coop? :p

[heiney9]

Oh, I dunno. I'm just looking to take my rig to the next level. If I buy the azur there is no way to know I can't snag a DAC off epay or audiogon in the near future. You're right about being able to just sell the DAC if I don't like it. I think that almost everyone would agree that the azur is a step up from the kenwood. I've got plenty of time to mess around with a DAC when the time/price is right. I was just thinking that adding a DAC to (ugh!) a Kenwood would be like putting lipstick on a pig. :)

The Cambridge is a fine unit and will be a big step up from the Kenwood.....not sure about putting lipstick on a pig, the Dac can do wonders even for mediocre transports. Don't let that be the single deciding factor. There's the same amount of time to add a better transport to a Dac later too.

I'd certainly look at the used route for a Dac if you can...there is a slight bit of truth to what Shack referred to about the cost/benefit factor. IF I never owned a Dac before, the $$ of new ones would give me cause for concern. Now that I've owned (2) both bought used I wouldn't hesitate to spend $$$ on a new one, if I couldn't find a used one.

H9

[halo]

H9 - Off topic, how do you like the RTA11t's? How would you, or can you for that matter, compare them to say, Monitor 10's?

[heiney9]

H9 - Off topic, how do you like the RTA11t's? How would you, or can you for that matter, compare them to say, Monitor 10's?

I really like my 11's, that's why I've had them so long (bought new in 1987). I haven't heard the Monitor 10's in a long time. I had a friend who had a pair and I remember liking the 11's a lot more. Being slimmer cabinets and having the Mid-Tweeter-Mid (MTM) design really helps. It's called D'Appolito configuration and that really helps the imaging, soundstage and mid-range. The 11's have very deep controlled bass and the soundstage/detail is excellent. Not quite SDA-like but sometimes when my eyes are closed and with the right material it's amazing what they do with the instruments. It's afflicted with the same sl2000 tweeter problems all of this generation Polks are and the better your source the more noticeable it becomes.

Some here just don't like these speaks...mostly the SDA crowd, and rank the 7's and even the 10's above them...never understood why. If these are set-up properly and given a good source they really are excellent speaks. However any Polk w/sl2000 tweet you should consider the replacement.

See link for D'Appolito description.

www.sweetwater.com/expert-center/glossary/t--D'Appolito

The "RTA" stands for real time array. The idea is to have all the horizontal freq reach your ear at the exact same time. Though in reality this is very difficult to do. The D'Appolito array if done correctly will come close to achieving this. Not sure how well Polk did this, or if it's even a true D'Appolito array by definition, but 11's are very open, cohesive, and have a huge soundstage, so they must be doing something right. Sometimes I can't believe the solid controlled extended bass I get. They seem to function well with all types of music.

I've been contemplating replacing them with either the Lsi 9 or 15 but fear I may loose some flexiblity as far as musicallity on all types of music. Don't get me wrong I know the Lsi's will sound much better, but I'm not sure they will on every type of music I enjoy. Damn this turned into a long post.....If I have the understanding of RTA and D'Appolito incorrect, please someone correct.

H9
EDIT
P.s. Not sure why the link didn't work :confused: ...you'll just have to copy and paste if you want to use it.

[halo]

H9 - Thanks for the info. I'm familiar with RTA because my "Monitor 11's" are, according to their manual, R.T.A. 11 Reference Monitor System (Model 11) loudspeakers. They have peerless tweeters, two 6/12" drivers per cabinet and 12" passive radiators plus a left & right channel designation on the backs of the cabinets. BlueMDpicker has the same speakers & F1's dad has them also. Blue has a pdf of the owners manual that he sent me & it goes into the details of all that Real Time Array stuff, speaker placement, etc.

I'm thinking of picking up a pair of RTA11t's because they'd fit into my current room config. better than the massive Monitor 11's.

I appreciate the review as I was afraid I'd be giving up bass response by swapping them out. I will, however, lose the peerless tweeters on the Monitor 11's so I'd have to get the new silk replacements if I made the swap. Are the replacements a direct drop in or do I have to do any mods?

[dorokusai]

The only real RTA was and is the RTA12. It's an alignment of the voice coils and has little if anything to do with the actual array.

The Reference Monitor 11 and 12 do not utilize a Real Time Array....it's just a nomenclature snafu.

[halo]

I know how you and Jesse feel about this subject - I was just quoting the manual. BTW - off topic - Mark, did you get my message about the SC?

[dorokusai]

Peer- Yes, I'm on it.

[halo]

Peer- Yes, I'm on it.

Cool. :cool: Thanks! :D

[heiney9]

Peersool,

I'd give them a try if you can find a pair locally reasonably priced. I've liked every vintage monitor Polk made one way or another. If you are serious about getting a pair and are ever over this way (Rockford) let me know maybe we could get together and you could hear them. I haven't replaced the tweets yet, I've been contemplating, but thought I might have some Lsi 9's by now and saved the $100 for those. Now I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm afraid I'd give up too much bass if I go with the 9's and I'm not looking to spend the money for the 15's, plus there seems to be some picky placement issues with the 15's. I just can't make a decision and the 11's still do it for me so....... :confused:

H9

[halo]

whoops - nevermind. Thanks H9.

[heiney9]

Sorry...yes they are direct replacements. Just have to make sure to get the wiring correct, see several previous threads.

H9

[halo]

H9 - I asked Ken Swauger about replacing the tweets on a 10B & he said:

"The real differences have to do with the tweeter dropping resistor, which is controlling the level of the tweeter. In the 10A it is a 2.5 Ohm resistor and in the 10B it is a 2.0 Ohm resistor. Not allot of difference but it would make the Peerless tweeter sound a little brighter if used with the 10B crossover. I don't believe it would be tremendously different, but it would be a smidge brighter. To be honest with you, I would use the 10B crossover with one of our newer tweeters, the RD0194-1 and place a .01 uFd Polystyrene or Mylar capacitor in parallel with both 12uFd capacitors. These are small value bypass capacitors that would allow the upper frequencies to be a little bit smoother.
Ken"

Unfortunately I don't know how to do what he suggested or where to get the parts. I don't know if the X-over is that much different on the RTA11t compared to a Monitor 10B either.

[heiney9]

H9 - I asked Ken Swauger about replacing the tweets on a 10B & he said:

"The real differences have to do with the tweeter dropping resistor, which is controlling the level of the tweeter. In the 10A it is a 2.5 Ohm resistor and in the 10B it is a 2.0 Ohm resistor. Not allot of difference but it would make the Peerless tweeter sound a little brighter if used with the 10B crossover. I don't believe it would be tremendously different, but it would be a smidge brighter. To be honest with you, I would use the 10B crossover with one of our newer tweeters, the RD0194-1 and place a .01 uFd Polystyrene or Mylar capacitor in parallel with both 12uFd capacitors. These are small value bypass capacitors that would allow the upper frequencies to be a little bit smoother.
Ken"

Unfortunately I don't know how to do what he suggested or where to get the parts. I don't know if the X-over is that much different on the RTA11t compared to a Monitor 10B either.


I must have missed something :confused: . I thought you originally asked about tweet replacements for the RTA-11t's you were considering. Those (RDO-....) replacements are direct drop-in's. If you're dealing with the Peerless that's a different animal. The peerless should stay where it is unless it not working or your parting it out. I don't think it common to use the Peerless in place of the "RDO" tweet which is the current replacement of the sl2000, 2500. I'm not sure the Peerless is forward compatible. I'm sure its been done, but not sure how that would turn out.

Got your PM, response to come.

H9

[halo]

No you didn't miss anything. Originally I asked Ken about replacing the tweeters on a pair of 10B's (sl2500 silver coil) with the peerless's out my 10A's (long story made short). Then he suggested replacing the sl2500's with the RD0194-1 instead and then performing the "upgrade" to the 10B's x-over mentioned in the earlier post. I'm wondering if I'd have to perform the "upgrade" to the RTA11t's x-over if I installed a set of RD0194-1's. If I am - I don't know how to do it or where to get the parts. Did that help clear thing up or just make you more confused?

[heiney9]

No you didn't miss anything. Originally I asked Ken about replacing the tweeters on a pair of 10B's (sl2500 silver coil) with the peerless's out my 10A's (long story made short). Then he suggested replacing the sl2500's with the RD0194-1 instead and then performing the "upgrade" to the 10B's x-over mentioned in the earlier post. I'm wondering if I'd have to perform the "upgrade" to the RTA11t's x-over if I installed a set of RD0194-1's. If I am - I don't know how to do it or where to get the parts. Did that help clear thing up or just make you more confused?

Got it :) . I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to upgrade the x-over in the RTA-11's, but if your not familiar with soldering/reading parts descriptions I doubt it would be worth the hassel. OTH, if you like that kind of stuff and are good at it you can get the parts at Parts Express pretty cheaply. I'm not sure if new x-overs are still avail from Polk so you wouldn't want to mess up the ones you have. The RDO's will sound great w/o the x-over upgrade. I'm sure there are differences between the 10's and 11's x-over networks. Ken would know for sure how much and if the same mod could be done using the same value parts.

http://www.partexpress.com/

[SCompRacer]

peersool and I are close in proximity. We will set a date for me to get on over there and try my DAC in his system and see what happens. I'd like to have a better digital coax cable than what I have now when we try it. Mine is due around Oct 5th or so.

[heiney9]

peersool and I are close in proximity. We will set a date for me to get on over there and try my DAC in his system and see what happens. I'd like to have a better digital coax cable than what I have now when we try it. Mine is due around Oct 5th or so.

Yeah..we've been discussing a small meet-n-greet for those of us in proximity. Don't know what'll happen but maybe something can be worked out. He's more than welcome to come listen to my 11's if that will help him I have a DAC as well, 2 of them actually.

H9

[Normanality]

peersool and I are close in proximity. We will set a date for me to get on over there and try my DAC in his system and see what happens. I'd like to have a better digital coax cable than what I have now when we try it. Mine is due around Oct 5th or so.


I just stopped by and borrowed SComp's Parasound DAC 2000 ULTRA and
connected it to my Marantz DV6500. I don't have a digital cable but used
a .5m Lapis X3. The DAC made a significant improvement to the detail,
separation of the soundfield. I'm sold! He's going to have a difficult time
getting it back now! ;) :D

[halo]

ha ha :D :D :D

[SCompRacer]

He's going to have a difficult time
getting it back now! ;) :D

A feller could lose lots of gear that way.......no way your gonna experience that Rotel now. :D

[heiney9]

I just stopped by and borrowed SComp's Parasound DAC 2000 ULTRA and
connected it to my Marantz DV6500. I don't have a digital cable but used
a .5m Lapis X3. The DAC made a significant improvement to the detail,
separation of the soundfield. I'm sold! He's going to have a difficult time
getting it back now! ;) :D

Keep it I think he said it was a gift. DAC's can really make a difference.

H9

[heiney9]

Norman, did it get rid of any of those hard to solve problems you were experiencing withe your Lsi 15's. I bet it helped....maybe?

H9

[SCompRacer]

Keep it I think he said it was a gift.

H9


Gi..giii...giii...gift? :eek: Darn, your generous with my stuff. :p :D

My used .5 meter Kimber D60 digital cable gets shipped today. If I ever get the DAC back, I'll retest it.

[Normanality]

Norman, did it get rid of any of those hard to solve problems you were experiencing withe your Lsi 15's. I bet it helped....maybe?

H9

Actually, it did help balance out the soundstage a bit. The mid-bass 'over presence' was tamer. I was impressed. I still need the acoustic panels I ordered to clean up the mud at the bottom.
My DV6500 doesn't like to play SACD using the coax digital output :rolleyes: but all other types work.

[Normanality]

Keep it I think he said it was a gift. DAC's can really make a difference.

H9


Gee thanks! :D

[Normanality]

I was able to (using an extra set of connectors) do a live A-B listening with and without the DAC.

It's pretty remarkable. I thought the sound quality coming from the 24bit DAC on the Marantz was good. It's reserved and lackluster compared to the Parasound DAC. Using my preamp remote, I could stay seated and switch back and forth listening to all types of music.

Now I have to get one.

Thanks SComp :mad: :rolleyes: :D

[SCompRacer]

Thanks SComp :mad: :rolleyes: :D
Wait, the Kimber Kable D60 is due here Saturday, so why not take it too.

Oh, BTW......... to the gift thing :D

[Normanality]

Wait, the Kimber Kable D60 is due here Saturday, so why not take it too.

Oh, BTW......... :D

ROFL! Hey now, behave yourself young fella.
Remember, that DAC is still in my possession ;)

[SCompRacer]

ROFL! Hey now, behave yourself young fella.
Remember, that DAC is still in my possession ;)

Oh, yeah, edited for content. :D And who you callin young.

[heiney9]

I was able to (using an extra set of connectors) do a live A-B listening with and without the DAC.

It's pretty remarkable. I thought the sound quality coming from the 24bit DAC on the Marantz was good. It's reserved and lackluster compared to the Parasound DAC. Using my preamp remote, I could stay seated and switch back and forth listening to all types of music.

Now I have to get one.

Thanks SComp :mad: :rolleyes: :D

It's great....and sucks at the same time. Let some more cash go......fly away :D . Seriously, it's nice to be able to hear the unit on your system before you buy.

Hey Norman I see you live in/near Hillside. Do they still have those record/cd shows at the Hillside Holiday Inn? I used to go about 3-4 times a year, haven't been to one in over 2 years. Just wondered if they still held them there?

H9

[W WALDECKER]

If the units come with a 30 day trial period I say go for it. I recently demoed a Benchmark DAC & a CIAudio DAC unit. Needless to say both units were returned. For the life of me & my wife we couldn't hear any difference that would warrant keeping either DAC. Then again that's our ears, you might hear something completely different. Half the fun is trying different stuff. But I can honestly say that one item we did try (also a 30 day trial) that made an immediate difference was a MARIGO 3-D SIGNATURE STABLIZER MAT from Music Direct. The difference was like night & day, the music really sounded clearer, more dynamic, more punch in the bass. For my wife to notice the difference & even comment on how much better it sounded is really saying something about a product. Technically I don't know what this thing does but boy does it work. Well so much for my $0.2
Happy hunting!i have been using a Herbies audio labs grunge buster cd mat for over a month and i wont play a cd without it. the mat by damping the disc and also making it easier for the laser to maintain focus improves the sound of every disc in my collection.it is easily the best $25.00 i have ever spent on an audio tweak....thanks....WCW III

[halo]

Well, I'm glad evrybody's having fun ;) My Kenwood was "acting up" today - it did it once before about a year ago and this thing is already 10 years old - so I may have to purchase a new CDP soon anyway. If the external DAC Rich has makes a difference I'd like to go with a Sony SCDCE595 SACD. If not I'll go with the Azur. I'm actually leaning towards the Azur - I've had bad luck with almost anything Sony I've ever purchased & I don't know of anyone else that makes a "cheap" SACD player - but who knows?

Big W - How do you use the thing? Where does it go? I didn't see an explanation when I went to Music Direct's site.

[halo]

And who you callin young.

Your not THAT old - geez man :p

[Fallen Kell]

Obviously you've never heard a good one :) .

I was about to say the same thing. A good DAC will make a big difference in sound compaired to ok DAC's. Yes, you might not have heard the difference in what you already had with the external DAC you tried, but that could simply mean that 1) you have high end gear already which has fairly decent DAC's or 2) the DAC you tried really wan't that great or 3) might need your ears checked.

There is a night and day difference between the DAC's in my pre-processor and the ones in my DVD player. Hands down, the DVD player has better DAC's (it is a Denon 3910). My pre-processor was just a temporary job (since the one I wanted kept being delayed and delayed), and I havn't bothered to get a replacement. So it is a HK DPR-1001 that I picked up refurbished direct from HK for $200 (not a bad deal). Anyway, the DAC's in the HK are not even in the same class as the Burr-Brown DAC's in the Denon. And there are other DAC's that will even put those Burr-Brown's into their place as well.

[shack]

Ya know....I've heard some REALLY GOOD external DACs vs some VERY GOOD CDPs. Marginally better? Maybe. A lot? No way. I'll spend my money elsewhere.

[anonymouse]

No you didn't miss anything. Originally I asked Ken about replacing the tweeters on a pair of 10B's (sl2500 silver coil) with the peerless's out my 10A's (long story made short). Then he suggested replacing the sl2500's with the RD0194-1 instead and then performing the "upgrade" to the 10B's x-over mentioned in the earlier post. I'm wondering if I'd have to perform the "upgrade" to the RTA11t's x-over if I installed a set of RD0194-1's. If I am - I don't know how to do it or where to get the parts. Did that help clear thing up or just make you more confused?

I replaced the SL1000's in my RTA12c's with the original Peerless. The difference is amazing. All the harshness has gone. The Peerless is the same size as the SL1000. You will not be able to do a drop in of the Peerless for the SL2000 or the SL2500 - the Peerless has a smaller frame.
I would do what Ken suggests, but instead of the bypass caps, I would look into just replacing those 12mfd caps with higher quality ones. There is a debate about the effectiveness of bypass caps - basically bypass caps were used to compensate for poor quality large value caps (i.e. the 12mfd ones in that xover now). If you simply replace those 12 mfd caps, you should not have to accept the subtle timing compromises associated with the bypass caps. Anyway, thats the debate - I have not tried bypass vs. non bypass personally.

[halo]

Well, on that note, (and with the assistance of someone who knows what they are doing) I was thinking about "rebuilding" or "modding" the crossovers. I mean if I'm going to be in there anyway why not just do the whole thing. When the SDA crowd does theirs they say it makes a big difference (I'm not comparing RTA11t's to anything SDA here). I've always heard GIGO around here and I'd imagine that all new high quality parts replacing 20 year old inexpensive (even at that time - to cut down on manufacturing $$$) caps & resistors, etc. would be a good thing. Someone correct me if I'm wrong because as I stated I don't know how to do this or where to get the parts. I know there are different brands of caps, etc. but I haven't got a clue where to go or what I'd (specific values) need.

[SCompRacer]

I'd start out by asking Polk for a schematic on your RTA's. Make up a parts list and order them from a place like Parts Connexion (http://www.partsconnexion.com/). I used Solen caps and Mills resistors. There are other higher quality caps Jesse (F1) has mentioned but they cost more.

[SCompRacer]

Your not THAT old - geez man :p

It's the mileage.... :p

[halo]

SCompRacer was over today and I'd say that the DAC made a noticeable difference. The highs and mids were more pronounced/defined/detailed. It may have tightened up the bass a little - it was kind of hard to tell.

He also brought a Carver TFM45 & we swapped out my Rotel. I was also impressed by the Carver. Definately more bass than the Rotel. Otherwise it seemed too similar to notice a difference.

So, my decision is to go with a new CDP. Only because the $$$ of his DAC is more than the cost of a new Azur 540C. I also figure that I can do an A vs. B comparison with my current CDP (before it craps out). I'll be able to see if it produces the same effect as the DAC - If not I'll return it and save a little more dough for a new (cheaper) CDP + DAC.

I want to say THANK YOU to SCompRacer for helping me out with this. It was nice to meet you IRL & it was REALLY nice of you to lug all that stuff over to my house just to help me make an informed decision. Thanks go out to everybody else for their input. This place is awsome.

[Normanality]

SCompRacer was over today and I'd say that the DAC made a noticeable difference. The highs and mids were more pronounced/defined/detailed. It may have tightened up the bass a little - it was kind of hard to tell.

He also brought a Carver TFM45 & we swapped out my Rotel. I was also impressed by the Carver. Definately more bass than the Rotel. Otherwise it seemed too similar to notice a difference.

So, my decision is to go with a new CDP. Only because the $$$ of his DAC is more than the cost of a new Azur 540C. I also figure that I can do an A vs. B comparison with my current CDP (before it craps out). I'll be able to see if it produces the same effect as the DAC - If not I'll return it and save a little more dough for a new (cheaper) CDP + DAC.

I want to say THANK YOU to SCompRacer for helping me out with this. It was nice to meet you IRL & it was REALLY nice of you to lug all that stuff over to my house just to help me make an informed decision. Thanks go out to everybody else for their input. This place is awsome.


Aint it fun playing with other people's stuff?
Everytime we get together, it costs one (or both) of us $$$ :D

[halo]

Aint it fun playing with other people's stuff?
Everytime we get together, it costs one (or both) of us $$$ :D

Add me to that list ;) :(

[Normanality]

Add me to that list ;) :(

He evened out the score with me now with that damn DAC.
What a difference on my system!

I got him with the speaker cable and the Lapis interconnects.
Those made a nice improvement to his system ;)

[SCompRacer]

Aint it fun playing with other people's stuff?
Everytime we get together, it costs one (or both) of us $$$ :D

Of late, we start to cringe every time we see one another. :eek: Every email, PM or phone call causes 'what's this gonna cost apprehension-tension.' :D

It has worked well though. I've made some solid improvements with no wrong investment expense through Norm's cable swap program. ;)

EDIT: wording

[SCompRacer]

I want to say THANK YOU to SCompRacer for helping me out with this.

Your most welcome. It sure helps on future equipment choices hearing different components in your own environment. If I had some speaker cables that weren't so hard to work with, I would have brought them to try as well. I think some better speaker cables would be worth trying with them Polks.

I don't get the bang out of the DAC that you and Norm get though. It was slightly better, but I had what sounds like AC noise issues at the speakers when the DAC is connected. All was quiet at your place, and IIRC Norm wasn't bothered by any noise either.

I tried connecting the DAC to different circuits of the house and even used a three to two prong AC plug to eliminate the ground. My circuits and grounds in the box check out OK. I was here every day they built this place to make sure stuff like that was done right. The strange thing is when I hooked it back up today, the noise wasn't as noticable.

My daughter flew in this weekend and came by again this afternoon so I spent some time with her. Tomorrow I hope to give it a serious listen and decide if I'll sell the DAC to Norm. :D

EDIT: The TFM-45 is a different animal compared to the TFM-35, 35X, 55 and 55X. I think it follows Carver's older design more to emulate that tube like sound.

[ND13]

Hell, that's nothing. Rich drove all the way to Indy just to sell me a pair of $225 SDA 2Bs. He wouldn't even let me fill up his tank. I'm damn glad that we live a few hours apart or I'd be calling the BK lawyer.

[Normanality]

Tomorrow I hope to give it a serious listen and decide if I'll sell the DAC to Norm. :D


There goes some voices again! (Sell Sell Sell!!) :D

Hopefully, by next weekend, your tube amp will be there and my Rega Planar 2 - P2 turntable will be here so we can do some more comparing. Perhaps I'll have
another new set of interconnects to demo too ;)

(I hear them voices too!)

[SCompRacer]

Hell, that's nothing. Rich drove all the way to Indy just to sell me a pair of $225 SDA 2Bs.


That was a fun day listening to tunes and talking about music over at caseymou's place. SDA's and the Ohm's. I needed to get away from my lower level project which had consumed me at that time. No mountains around here to climb and get refocused, so I drove down there instead. ;)

[SCompRacer]

There goes some voices again! (Sell Sell Sell!!) :D

Hopefully, by next weekend, your tube amp will be there and my Rega Planar 2 - P2 turntable will be here so we can do some more comparing. Perhaps I'll have
another new set of interconnects to demo too ;)

(I hear them voices too!)

You HAD to remind me about that Rega. You HAD to make me remember I need a better TT. You HAD to make me remember Nordost RedDawns. (Wasn't I the one that put you on to them?) :D You HAD to remind me that Canada Post.....better not say anything. Don't want to offend any of our Canadian members. :) But I do want to know where the hell my amp is.

[ND13]

Yeah, where the hell is that McAlister???

[SCompRacer]

Tracking says it arrived at at a sortation plant in MISSISSAUGA, ON, on 9/27. I would guess they hand it off to the USPS at the border, or they give it to some old guy with a mule to deliver it.

[ND13]

My bet is the latter.