AudioBanter.com - View Single Post - HDCD DAC (entry-level)

In article ,
(Sathyan Sundaram) wrote:

MiNE 109 wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Sathyan Sundaram) wrote:

Can you recommend an entry-level ($400 or less, used is fine)
HDCD-capable external stereo DAC? It will be used with a Pioneer
DV-563 as transport. Either Optical or Coaxial is fine. The overall
system is mass market HT (Onkyo electronics, KLH speakers, Radio Shack
interconnects) so audiophile-grade is not necessary. At present I
can't listen to HDCD's as HDCD's. Redbooks sound a bit veiled and
lacking final definition in imaging. (I didn't notice this until
listening to SACD's) Or am I better off getting a Cambridge Audio
dedicated CD player (500SE)?

A quick Google shows the Aragon D2A2k; the Musical Fidelity X-DAC; and
the Assemblage DAC -2 in approximately your price range.

IMO you'd be better off with a used Arcam or Rotel player with HDCD than
with a DAC for the price.

I'd look at a speaker upgrade someday.

And if you want the benefits of HDCD, don't use the digital connection
from the player to the receiver, assuming there is one!

Thank you. I will look into the Arcam and Rotel. I think my local
audio shop is a Rotel dealer.

Upon review, I've discovered I don't have that many HDCD's (a grand
total of 4, and three of those come from mass-market labels which
probably don't take advantage of the technology). So, I'll drop that
requirement.
I'm not happy with the sound I'm getting from redbooks. On the same
system I listen to SACD, DVD-A, and LP*s and they (the latter only
when clean) tend to sound more open, spacious, greater depth, more
accurate imaging and more of a "presence". I don't think this is a
limitation of redbook technology as I've heard better from expensive
players. (I suppose I should mention the genres - I listen to
classical [symphonies primarily - Beethoven thru Prokofiev/Shosty],
opera [mostly Verdi and Puccini], and jazz [50s-70s]). So the question
is: How can I make CDs sound better for about $400.

Used Rotel or Arcam is still a good bet. I like the Ring DAC although
the Arcam 9 is about 50% over your budget at Audiogon. It might be worth
it in the long run.

I'm trying to buy SACDs whenever possible but the catalogue is
limited. Otherwise I'm tempted to just rebuy on SACD to fix the
problem.

It seems odd that the cd portion of a universal player would be
compromised, but there have been anecdotes that inexpensive DVD players
have distorting analog outputs.

Do any dedicated CD players do onboard PCM bass management?

speakers. I plan to upgrade those once I get a house and can
dedicate a room. Right now my listening room is my bedroom with all
sorts of obstructions. All I could afford to upgrade to would be
Mirage FRx-5 or Energy AC-300, and that for fronts only. In the
meantime the KLH are OK for background listening; for serious
listening I resort to Grado headphones.

Sounds like you have a plan for the speakers.

Stephen