Bada HD-22SE CD player + DAC

[danger boy]

I recently purchased the Bada HD-22SE CDP from a nice Polkie.. and I have had it hooked up for a few weeks now. I have been very pleased with it... sound so much better than anything else i've ever owned.

Well a few days ago i decided to run two pairs of interconnects from the Bada to my integrated amp. actually, one pair from the tube analog RCA outs to one input on my amp.. then I also ran a coxial cable from the Bada to my California Audio Labs Alpha tube DAC (:D)

I was not expecting there to be much difference in sound quality. but dang it if there wasn't an improvement using the DAC. ;)

The CAL DAC has always held a special place in my heart... and sounded much better than any stand along CDP I've ever owned.. which most have been pretty middle of the road to very low end player. The DAC always helped out.

But now having a better transport in the Bada it also helped the sound running through the DAC. :D :D Something i wasn't expecting to happen. Given it's age and that it's a bit outdate at 18 bits compared to the Bada's 24bit DAC's.

It helped clear up even more some of the highs, and mid highs.. instruments like acoustic guitar sounds more natual to me. More clarity, and separation between voices.. notes hang and decay smooter now.

I know I have miles to go yet in reaching my goal of having a decent 2 ch music only rig that will put a smile on my face every time I listen to it.. but I would have to say my trusty DAC + Bada CDP got me one step closer to that goal.

Now I have to just find someone here to rebuild the X-overs in the 2B's to the TL update/upgrade ;)

[daboyz]

The transport in the Bada is most excellent so I'm not surprised to hear that you are enjoying it with an external DAC. I think you're getting the best of both worlds now. Enjoy!!

[danz1906]

Nice gear-Enjoy!

[Ern Dog]

Interesting. I'm gonna have to try a DAC w/my Bada.

[zombie boy 2000]

Just curious... but wouldn't you be losing the benefits of the tube output? It's built like tank, so it doesn't surprise me that it works as an excellent transport.

[danger boy]

Just curious... but wouldn't you be losing the benefits of the tube output? It's built like tank, so it doesn't surprise me that it works as an excellent transport.

yes and no. my DAC is a tube one. so either way.. i'm heatin up some tubature ;)

[tonyb]

Congrats.....the Bada is pretty nice,then again Cal has some good build quality all it's own. Just goes to show ya,it's not all about the latest and greatest dac chip set. Enjoy.

[heiney9]

Just curious... but wouldn't you be losing the benefits of the tube output? It's built like tank, so it doesn't surprise me that it works as an excellent transport.

He's just bypassing the tube section in the Bada and using the tube section in the CAL dac.