funny this thread should come up.
I found myself wondering what direction to take *EVERYTHING* w/my stereo, sans speakers, on a shoestring $1200 budget. I need a:
multi inputed selectable digital front end
some sort of "gain" control
amplification of 75-150wpc
remote would be nice
I tried several combo's of well reviewed class D amps and DACs in my head, but could never come up w/anything on or even better, under budget.
So, there i was looking at a Sony again. I could blow the whole wad on a 7100es, and I'm inclined to do so for several reasons but the largest being the iLink input. the dvp9000es has an iLink output, and is not that expensive. I think this is a newer model and a lot cheaper than the xa9000es that was the only deck w/the matching iLink(?).
Since it looks as though DSD is going to become a little more available to us, I like the idea of having some Meitner code in my signal chain. the DSD converting sony boxes do sound nice.....
I may never be able to burn SACD, but should there be some workaround in the future then I'll have a direct transport>DAC ready to roll. In the meantime, I'm sure any ol' digital signal feeding it will be fine.
at the very least, I can go cheap w/a 3000es, which would *totally* work and be much less expensive. wont sound as nice, i'm sure, but it will work just fine. No direct DSD link capabilities, but all the upsampling.
hmmm...maybe thats better money spent.
so...
Who's got a 3000 or better yet, 5000es they want to sell?
trades with my Music Hall Mambo ?