Author Topic: loaner DAC ? (Read 6303 times)

Nick's Picks · « **on:** January 06, 2007, 08:45:31 AM »

Hey all....

as i've mentioned in a few threads, i'm changing my playback gear around.
In this new setup, I have no good source.
I'm definitely going the outboard DAC route so that I can get at my large HDD library of music.
I'll going to pick up a separate SACD deck (probably the highly regarded sleeper, Sony SCD-C2000ES).

as for DACs, i'm going to need to save up for this. I want something really good. Benchmark, at the minimum...but probably a BelCanto DAC 2.0, Grace 901/2, or something entirely different.

in the meantime...anyone have anything "extra" laying around that I can borrow?

new intended rig will be:
DAC/SACD source > Pathos Classic One MK3 > VSA VR-2100 towers.
should be good. I already intend to replace the speakers as well...eventually. I really want to give those ML Vantages a home in my living room.

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2007, 08:46:48 AM »

or..
can anyone recommend a class A rated Universal that has a digital input?
I know they exist..but dont know where.

noam · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2007, 10:38:59 AM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on January 06, 2007, 08:45:31 AM

I'll going to pick up a separate SACD deck (probably the highly regarded sleeper, Sony SCD-C2000ES).

as for DACs, i'm going to need to save up for this. I want something really good. Benchmark, at the minimum

The good folks at Benchmark told me IIRC that the SONY SACD's are copyright protected in the digi out and cannot work with an outboard DAC. They may have said that is the case for ALL SACD players (the chip is SONY's?) - I don't remember exactly. They also said that SOME DVD-A players are likewise copyright protected from digi out and they have checked 2 models in the past that can work with an outboard DAC, both no longer available. They do not have up-to-date info about every player, but better check with them first - I hope I am not confusing what they said, because I was also discussing with them the unrelated issue of which players are "bit transparent."

Noam

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2007, 04:32:17 PM »

I wasn't planning on using anything other than the analog output on that Sony deck. It sounds excellent on its own. probably sucks as a transport, given its 5 disc tray.

BC · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2007, 07:50:57 PM »

those VR 2100's get to ya yet?

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2007, 09:12:16 PM »

no
probably later this week

jdawg · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2007, 09:35:11 PM »

I'm looking to sell my bel canto DAC2. PM me if interested. I have this posted on A'gon as well. I'll make a better deal for you though. Let me know.

Kyle · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2007, 01:48:17 AM »

Quote from: noam on January 06, 2007, 10:38:59 AM

Quote from: Nick's Picks on January 06, 2007, 08:45:31 AM
I'll going to pick up a separate SACD deck (probably the highly regarded sleeper, Sony SCD-C2000ES).

as for DACs, i'm going to need to save up for this. I want something really good. Benchmark, at the minimum

The good folks at Benchmark told me IIRC that the SONY SACD's are copyright protected in the digi out and cannot work with an outboard DAC. They may have said that is the case for ALL SACD players (the chip is SONY's?) - I don't remember exactly. They also said that SOME DVD-A players are likewise copyright protected from digi out and they have checked 2 models in the past that can work with an outboard DAC, both no longer available. They do not have up-to-date info about every player, but better check with them first - I hope I am not confusing what they said, because I was also discussing with them the unrelated issue of which players are "bit transparent."

Noam

Sort of off topic so if it's a hijack my apologies...
Can anyone confirm that a DSD (SACD) signal can be sent down an ilink connection to a Sony 9000es, for example. I have heard it works with the Pioneer Elite series (with ilink), but that is just what I have heard. Would be really sweet if it works. Anyone know for sure?

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #8 on:** January 08, 2007, 06:51:41 AM »

I only know that it will work w/the XA9000ES SACD deck, or new DVP91000ES SACD deck.
No idea about the other brands firewire. The Denon Dlink...for example.

carlbeck · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2007, 08:14:30 AM »

Nick you can borrow my DAC but it may ruin you for life

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2007, 09:29:15 AM »

well...it may ruin me until I have a spare grand to drop on one...should the desire be that strong.

scb · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2007, 09:36:30 AM »

what dac is that, carl?

carlbeck · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2007, 09:42:35 AM »

Electrocompaniet ecd-1, ALMOST like analog, seriously

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1172952057

scb · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2007, 09:53:09 AM »

never even heard of that before...when did you get it?

carlbeck · « **Reply #14 on:** January 08, 2007, 10:26:59 AM »

Last year I think. I have my Onkyo DV-SP1000 universal player feeding it. The Onkyo sounds pretty bad ass on it's own but the ECD takes it up another notch. Very impressive front end, next to my turntable, the best I have ever owned. I can finally listen to digital again

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #15 on:** January 08, 2007, 02:18:14 PM »

Quote from: carlbeck on January 08, 2007, 10:26:59 AM

I can finally listen to digital again

carlbeck · « **Reply #16 on:** January 08, 2007, 02:24:31 PM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on January 08, 2007, 02:18:14 PM

Quote from: carlbeck on January 08, 2007, 10:26:59 AM
I can finally listen to digital again

Just you wait until you switch to vinyl, just wait

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #17 on:** January 08, 2007, 02:26:14 PM »

i likely wont be switching to vinyl anytime soon. too much PITA factor. Might as well buy a boat as that is an equal money pit from the looks of things.

Plus...
I can just see Grace and Ande' w/a nice record collection.
that, and the "sterile room" i'd need to even play a record. 2 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, ME, my wife...that all equals "digital".

Visualize a nice $1500 cartridge bouncing over dog hair?

carlbeck · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2007, 03:02:05 PM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on January 08, 2007, 02:26:14 PM

i likely wont be switching to vinyl anytime soon. too much PITA factor. Might as well buy a boat as that is an equal money pit from the looks of things.

Plus...
I can just see Grace and Ande' w/a nice record collection.
that, and the "sterile room" i'd need to even play a record. 2 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, ME, my wife...that all equals "digital".

Visualize a nice $1500 cartridge bouncing over dog hair?

blah blah blah blah blah, I'm a pussy, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, my kids don't love me, blah blah blah blah, my dogs hate me, blah blah blah blah blah, do you ever think YOU would spend $1500.00 on a cart? NOPE

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2007, 04:53:03 PM »

yea right Carl.
I'm certainly not the type of guy to spend endless cash on an audio hobby.
sheesh...what was i thinking?

carlbeck · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2007, 05:34:02 PM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on January 08, 2007, 04:53:03 PM

yea right Carl.
I'm certainly not the type of guy to spend endless cash on an audio hobby.
sheesh...what was i thinking?

Could you ever imagine spending $1500 on a cart when you NORMALLY/TYPICALLY try to find lower priced products that produce the same results? I am sure you can get "similar" results on a low buck system without having to worry about a $1500 cart floating on dog hair.

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2007, 05:53:10 PM »

carlbeck · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2007, 06:10:51 PM »

scervin · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2007, 07:50:36 PM »

Hey now, a boat doesn't cost nearly as much as vinyl!

Seriously Nick you need to get into vinyl. There really isn't anything like it. I never thought I'd get a turntable, but I got a nice promotion and figured it was another 6 months or so before I needed a new water pump and add some bling to the boat (new SS headers, exhaust tips, gauges) for the boat. Getting the cheap Rega P3 with Elys2 cartridge was

I had no room for the turntable, but after a few days I was sure to make enough space for it in the rack. Listening to Dire Straits Brothers in Arms or Dylan's Modern Times is audio bliss. Now I'm hooked, ordering vinyl once a week.

While Ryder is only a month old, I've given him the "speech" about daddy's gear and why it is locked up.

If you ever want to buy that boat let me know.

SC

Quote from: Nick's Picks on January 08, 2007, 02:26:14 PM

i likely wont be switching to vinyl anytime soon. too much PITA factor. Might as well buy a boat as that is an equal money pit from the looks of things.

Plus...
I can just see Grace and Ande' w/a nice record collection.
that, and the "sterile room" i'd need to even play a record. 2 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, ME, my wife...that all equals "digital".

Visualize a nice $1500 cartridge bouncing over dog hair?

Kyle · « **Reply #24 on:** January 08, 2007, 08:11:58 PM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on January 08, 2007, 06:51:41 AM

I only know that it will work w/the XA9000ES SACD deck, or new DVP91000ES SACD deck.
No idea about the other brands firewire. The Denon Dlink...for example.

Thanks Nick - I need to give this a go at some point.....

get into the vinyl game - even w/pets and kids it is doable - grab a Rega P1 from Eugene HiFi and you will be

carlbeck · « **Reply #25 on:** January 08, 2007, 08:23:51 PM »

Nick & I have gone over this a few times, he is always tempted to go for vinyl but his system is in the living room & his kids have easy access to it. I can understand, I am sure as his kids get a little older he will switch to the dark side eventually. He knows what he is missing

Kyle · « **Reply #26 on:** January 08, 2007, 08:30:35 PM »

Quote from: carlbeck on January 08, 2007, 08:23:51 PM

Nick & I have gone over this a few times, he is always tempted to go for vinyl but his system is in the living room & his kids have easy access to it. I can understand, I am sure as his kids get a little older he will switch to the dark side eventually. He knows what he is missing

My family had the same issue when I was little - somewhere in the 3-5 yrs old range I became obsessed with Boston's first album and became fairly proficient with the system (or so I thought) - my parents bought me a little turntable with speakers for my room (and gave me the Boston album and bought a new one) - kept me busy and away from their rig (mostly

)

Understand completely though - Nick will do it right when the time is right - patience will pay off in the way of musicality (is that a word?)

som · « **Reply #27 on:** January 08, 2007, 11:22:23 PM »

I have six kids and two cats and have had a turntable since forever. Not a $1500 cartridge by any means, but a nice older Denon TT with a $100-$200 cartridge. I think I can honestly say that no child or pet has messed with my turntable.

Besides, there's no way I'm gonna replace 30+ years of vinyl buying, and it just sounds better. And it's fun. And used LPs are cheap and plentiful. And the artwork is cooler. And tons of reissues are coming out. And being into vinyl makes one feel cooler than most other people.

(I'm hoping I have the same luck with my kids and my new grill-less Horn Shoppe Horns!)

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #28 on:** January 09, 2007, 08:02:49 AM »

i'm always eyeing gear. I've almost pulled the trigger a couple of times..and have a search in eBay for some of the older Denon DP models.

I know how good it sounds. I get a boner every time I listen. I just "cant' go there" quite yet. the kids would kill the system, and im tired of fencing off 1/2 of my living room.

so Carl...since your vinyl is so "cool", I guess i'll borrow that DAC of yours. You wont miss it.
ha ha ha ha

AND....though I will listen to anything that sounds good, no matter what it is...I still live very well on a steady diet of live GD and masters of whatever i've recorded recently. I dont see those being pressed any time soon.

I'd rather save the dough and buy an EMMLabs DAC. Then all my shit will sound as good as vinyl. Better even.