New starter: Should I change the Planet?

[jmj]

Hello all,

I have just join this forum and was wondering if you chaps might be able to offer me some advise on how to improve my current hi-fi set up, which is as follows:

- Rega Planet cd player mk1
- Tagmclaren 60irv integrated amp
- Tagmclaren 60p power amp
- Beresford Dac tl-7520 (modified)
- Dali Suite 2.8 Loudspeakers
- Wharedale diamond sw150 subwoofer

I have recently modified the DAC and am impressed with the results. I am now wondering what additional benefits might be gained by replacing the Planet with a more capable transport? That's not to say that the Planet is good, it is but I keen to see what people think. I have a budget of about £200and very prepared to buy second hand gear.

The vast majority of my music is on cds, which I do not intend to change any time soon and I mainily listen to rock, pop and electro.

All suggestion, no matter how wacky welcome.

Thanks

Josh

[Alex_UK]

Hi Josh, welcome, by the way. I've (sort of) answered your question in your first post - IMO the Planet would very unlikely be improved upon at that sort of money as a transport (probably even as a standalone player.) What about cables - what are you currently using between everything? As a converted cable skeptic, there may be some mileage looking there, depending what you've already got. I'm surprised you need a sub with those speakers and electronics - for music, at any rate - do you use it for music? Unless you have a massive room? Any chance of some pics of your setup - the biggest upgrade I've made in the last 6 years was to position my speakers correctly (not that I'm saying yours aren't.)

[jmj]

Hello again Alex,

Thanks for your posting. Have you seen this transport? - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Little-Dot-CDP-I-CDP-1-CD-Transport-CD-Players-NEW-/250678984791?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5da1c057. Any thoughts?

With regards to cables, I'm using two Crimson Plus (The Cable Company) cables between the DAC and amps. My connection between my cd player and DAC is a QED Performance digital RCA cable. Can't remember what my speaker cables are but they are old, inexpensive and probably need changing.

So on reflection my cables are a bit on the cheap side, what would you recommend? Do you really think they can make a significant difference? I’m a bit sceptical.

The sub is only a bit of fun really I don't regard it as an important part of my system. I brought it before I purchased the speakers and power amp and rarely use it any more. My speakers are in a small room and badly positioned but I’m buying a flat soon so once I have done that and set the system up, I will post some pics.

All the best.

[DSJR]

I thought I'd posted a reply but it isn't here?

The Planet is a well designed little player and the only way you'd significantly improve it - as a transport - for modest money is to get something a little friendlier in operation, like the one you've linked to. Whether the basic digital output of the Planet could be improved on i don't know..

Look on the Acoustica website for tweaking ideas on the Planet - it appears that the output filter on the Planet, put there for EC requirements I suspect, gets in the way and there are suggestions for removing it, which would lower the high output impedance of the audio output of the Planet and may even make the addition of an external DAC redundant. You could always upgrade to a Jupiter/Io if you can find one, or an Apollo or Saturn, the latter of which will be a true upgrade I think.

[Spectral Morn]

Welcome Josh to AOS


I don't see anything that special in the Ebay listing...however in saying that implementation is everything and without hearing it I can't say if its good or not. However at a guess I can't see it being better than the Rega.

I would suggest you try a few different digital cables. The QED one you use is okay but even the QED SR 75 (the next one up) was quite a bit better (I think it was discontinued awhile ago) I use these in a few applications...mainly AV.

Any good dealer will be happy to lend you cables to try at home in your own system.


Regards D S D L

[jmj]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I have been looking at new models and noticed that the following seem to have good transport systems and power supplies.

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/42/201/18420/PD-D6MK2-K/index.html

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/cd-players-and-recorders/yamaha-cd-s700-488867/review

Do you think these players, linked with my current DAC would improve my system? The Yamaha is particularly pleasing on the eye..

Thanks

[Ali Tait]

I'd go for a Squeezebox Touch.

[Stratmangler]

I'd go for a Squeezebox Touch.

Ditto.

[Bazil]

Hi Josh
Can't see that you will gain anything in sound as your DAC is calling the tune as it were.
But I can see where your coming from on the looks point of view.

[WAD62]

Ditto.

Encore...