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Silver Member Username: LongbluesquidPost Number: 218 Registered: May-06 | Im trying to research to see what would be a good cd transoprt for my system to upgrade from my Oppo Dv-980H, I have a dacmagic. Ive narrowed it down to Nad C515, 545, Marantz CD-5003 and Cambridge Audio 550C or 540C. I own the cambridge 640A with Monitor audio rs1's. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 3713 Registered: Feb-07 | If you already have the DacMagic and 640A it would make sense to stay with CA for the transport. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 3005 Registered: Jun-07 | I agree with David. |
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Silver Member Username: LongbluesquidPost Number: 220 Registered: May-06 | I was really leaning towards the C545BEE or the CA 550C ( but its a little too expensive and no place to audition it in my area ) There seem to be more Nad dealers than CA dealers. |
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Gold Member Username: My_rantzGold CoastAustralia Post Number: 3016 Registered: Nov-05 | Being for transport only, it really wouldn't matter which player as synergy is not a consideration in this case. |
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Silver Member Username: MagfanUSA Post Number: 914 Registered: Oct-07 | You may want to research which player uses which mechanism and choose from the 'reliable' end of the spectrum. That WILL matter! |
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Gold Member Username: My_rantzGold CoastAustralia Post Number: 3018 Registered: Nov-05 | I think the players Abe has narrowed down his list to are all about as reliable as each other. |
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Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 14690 Registered: Dec-04 | Which transport(s) offer optical/USB connections to the DAC? |
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Silver Member Username: LongbluesquidPost Number: 221 Registered: May-06 | Both the 545bee and 550c offer optical connections to the DAC. |
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Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 14693 Registered: Dec-04 | Does the older 540c offer optical? If so, why not look to the older model? |
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Silver Member Username: LongbluesquidPost Number: 222 Registered: May-06 | I would take the 540C but i cant find one with warranty for a reasonable price. |
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Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 14696 Registered: Dec-04 | You buying just new then Abe? Lots of good used units for dirt cheap. If I were buying new, I would look at a streamer, or a media center if you are serious. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 3718 Registered: Feb-07 | There's usually tons of used CA gear on Audiogon. I wouldn't worry too much about the warranty, but that's just me. |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 3712 Registered: May-05 | Coax sounds a lot better than optical in my experience. Not always, but just about always. |
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Silver Member Username: HawkbillyNova Scotia Canada Post Number: 855 Registered: Jul-07 | IMO, it is highly likely you'll hear very little if any difference between your Oppo and any of those players. I actually preferred my Oppo to my NAD as a transport when I was using my CIA dac. A computer or music streaming device (like a Slim device) or even an Apple TV might be good options to consider. |
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Silver Member Username: LongbluesquidPost Number: 224 Registered: May-06 | I want something I can take wma lossless and wma protected files ( Zune pass) and stream them to my audio system. i have an xbox 360 running optical to my dacmagic but the quality is very very poor from the xbox. |
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Silver Member Username: HawkbillyNova Scotia Canada Post Number: 857 Registered: Jul-07 | http://www.computeraudiophile.com/ |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 3717 Registered: May-05 | Abe, I wonder why the sound quality is that bad. Probably jitter? If it is jitter, have you considered the Monarchy DIP or a similar device? I've contemplated one, but I'm waiting to figure out what DAC I'll ultimately end up with. If the DAC re-clocks, the DIP is redundant. If not, it reportedly makes a very big improvement. And it converts optical to coax, which is a better connection. |
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Silver Member Username: LongbluesquidPost Number: 225 Registered: May-06 | Whats a Monarchy DIP? |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 3722 Registered: May-05 | The Monarchy DIP is a re-clocking device. It'll also convert optical to coax. By re-clocking the signal, it greatly reduces jitter. I read a review that measured the jitter reduction of a few different devices at the time, and the Monarchy DIP was one of the best. It reduced optical jitter by something like 85%. The Theta TLC is another such device that was measured, and reduced optical jitter even more. Jitter reportedly causes several audible things - glare, etch, hash, reduced soundstage (almost compressed sounding), and so on. If jitter isn't the issue, then these things won't solve any problems. The Monarchy DIP (there's a few different versions - DIP Upsampler, DIP Combo) and Theta TLC can usually be found on Audiogon for a decent price. I don't think Theta makes the TLC anymore, but Monarchy still makes the DIP. Check Audio Advisor. They had a demo one for a few bucks off. You have to go through all 8 or 9 pages to find it. |
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Silver Member Username: LongbluesquidPost Number: 226 Registered: May-06 | Ill check it out im also looking at getting 340C as a transport. but im still doing some research. i ant my system to be more on the warm detailed side. id like to reveal more in the recordings. I was able to demo a nad 565 but on a high dollar Nad pre/amp combo and Thiel speakers it was very revealing. |
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Silver Member Username: LongbluesquidPost Number: 227 Registered: May-06 | i was reccomended the 550C as a good tranport, so in a few months I should be purchasing one. |