Outstanding digital components

In your experience, what digital components have really amazed you? It can be anything from a CD player to a DAC to an MP3 player.

I'll start, it has to be my Apogee Mini DAC which just gets better and better, so musical and natural with no sense of mechanical interference, slightly oddball looks but then again, who wants convention? :) :

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/s.../Apogee3-4.jpg

I'd have to say the dCS Puccini which really impressed me at the Manc show - very neutral, lively and real.

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/s...cini_front.jpg

The Pioneer PDR-609 CD Recorder. These machines were so good that the copies were virtually indistinguishable from the originals. I mastered my 2004 album to one of these.

http://www.laserlinehifi.co.uk/images/xosc_l_pdr609.jpg

Denon DVD-A1. Had one of these a while back, extraordinary universal player with amazing video processing (aside from occasional chroma upsampling issues) and excellent, if not quite audiophile, sound quality. Built like a brick poo house. :)

http://www.denon.fr/scripts/fo/elements/7928.jpg

Marantz SR-9600. Super flexible, more inputs than your average hi-fi shop and thundering cinema ability.

http://www.avland.co.uk/marantz/sr9600/sr9600.jpg

I have to add the iPod actually, yes I know it's NOT hi-fi, but with a decent sample rate (say 320Kbps minimum) and a nice pair of headphones it can sound pretty decent - certainly better than personal cassette players of the 80s and personal CD players of the 90s.

I've got a 30gb - quite nice for video too, although a little small for prolonged viewing. :)

.

I'd have to say my RWA Squeezebox has impressed me beyond my own expectations of it. Now i'm looking into buying the Altmann DAC along with the Jisco connector, which is also battery powered.

http://www.gamutaudio.com/media/pdf/...collection.jpg

GamuT CD3. I really want one.

https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/71

Also more than worth a mention.

The Linn Unidisk SC is a great deal, good DVD player, very good CD player, very good DAC, good processor, on top of all that it also plays SACD, and all sounds superb... :)

Sometimes there are strange noises from the drive, maybe because I dont use it often, but the processor is on 12 hours a day...

A big vote should go to the Beresford DAC, I think. A very flexible digital control centre and great vfm too at only around £100 - it's brought good sound to a lot of folks who otherwise couldn't have afforded to get to that level.
And Stan B's a nice bloke, too! :)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...resfordDAC.jpg

The Accuphase DP series. Stonkingly good CD players!

Ensemble Dirondo. Heard within the context of a full Ensemble system but one of the few cd fronted systems I would say was exceptional.

The Wiess Medea Dac and the matching transport, silly expensive but silly good too.

Esoteric X-03se, heard a Wammer's deck a few times and I've always been impressed with it.

Most digital components make me glad I've got a turntable, the three above are exceptions, although my Audio Analogue Maestro MkII does a good enough job for me without the need to spend silly money.

Hi Guys
A couple of things worth a mention from my point of view, and I have personally owned are noted below;

• Pink Triangle - De-Capo DAC
• CEC TL1x Transport
• Audio Logic MLX34 DAC

Andy - SDDW

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Originally Posted by Filterlab

In your experience, what digital components have really amazed you? It can be anything from a CD player to a DAC to an MP3 player.

I'll start, it has to be my Apogee Mini DAC which just gets better and better, so musical and natural with no sense of mechanical interference, slightly oddball looks but then again, who wants convention? :) :

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/s.../Apogee3-4.jpg

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That little Apogee would look a bit less flamboyant if you would only buy the poor thing some sensible shoes. If you want Apogee and design elegance at once, it isn't hard to find, it's the Duet.

For my part, I nominate this:

http://www.audio-magus.com/v/vspfile...os/UD101-2.jpg

Put in USB and it puts out your choice of either of the 2 coax, optical or AES/EBU. It re-clocks. It keeps the digital and analog paths separate, it seems to add nothing to the music - no noise, no warmth, nothing - which is a good thing in my view. It even has a simple 16-bit Burr-Brown DAC chip in it - an afterthought evidenced by the fact that there are no RCA outs. But put that little chip in this well-designed circuit and it sounds really good, even coming out of the mini phono on the front (a headphone jack, but there's no headphone amp, no volume control, all line level controlled from the PC). I'm not sure I need a better DAC, but I want one. The aforementioned Duet, to be exact. As Joni Mitchell said, I'm like a black crow, sweeping down on every shiny thing.

$140. Those crazy Chinese.

Tim

Hehehe, those feet were temporary - funky colour though eh!

Now the DAC has its own slate/metal pedestal stand. :)

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Originally Posted by Filterlab

Hehehe, those feet were temporary - funky colour though eh!

Now the DAC has its own slate/metal pedestal stand. :)

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And they were lovely. Actually, I think I recognize them. When I was between marriages, that period my best friend refers to as "Farney's 2-year-long lost weekend," I believe I dated a woman with those shoes. Very frightening, actually.

I sort of like Apogee's visual style. They never seem to have met slightest sliver of aluminum they wouldn't silk screen . Then along came the oh so understated Duet. I'm not sure what happened there. Hired an industrial design firm and said "make this thing look good sitting next to a powerbook," I suspect.

Tim

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Originally Posted by tfarney

And they were lovely. Actually, I think I recognize them. When I was between marriages, that period my best friend refers to as "Farney's 2-year-long lost weekend," I believe I dated a woman with those shoes. Very frightening, actually.

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I thought you were going to say you liked golf, and consequently recognise them. ;)

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Originally Posted by tfarney

I sort of like Apogee's visual style. They never seem to have met slightest sliver of aluminum they wouldn't silk screen . Then along came the oh so understated Duet. I'm not sure what happened there. Hired an industrial design firm and said "make this thing look good sitting next to a powerbook," I suspect.

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I would imagine that Apogee are well aware of what most of their products will end up accompanying. Shame they can't get the Apple drivers sorted faster!

In no particular order:

My STAX DAC X-1t ($40k when new)

My Micro Seiki CD M2 CD player when used as a transport

My Musical Fidelity (from batch #1) X-RAY V8 & X-DAC V8

My Musical Fidelity (from batch #1) Tri-Vista DAC 21

An Accuphase DP-85V

The Nagra stand-alone DAC

My Meridian 508.24. I really do doubt if they EVER built anything again as MUSICALLY satisfying! Really

My Meridian 601 Digital preamp. Light years ahead, at that time

My very humble, utter reliable and dirt cheap Yamaha CDX-496 which, given it has been used for at least 30 hours a week in my office for years and years is for me (in this specific context only) the most impressive digital purchase I've - bar none.

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Originally Posted by Howard Popeck (Stereonow)

My Musical Fidelity (from batch #1) Tri-Vista DAC 21

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Great DAC.

The mighty Lyngdorf:

http://www.lyngdorf.com/images/stori...i-2200_350.jpg

Ah, if I were a rich man...

Tim

The Best? What means the Best. None are or can be all things to all. If we agree that the aim is reproducing the nearest thing to the original sound, then this is also conditional on the type of music to be enjoyed. A system that can reproduce four or five electric instruments successfully might fail completely with a full 100 seat orchestra. I can only speak for the latter where most high-end players fall down very badly on timbral accuracy of string instruments. I have owned and auditioned most of the top players and in my experience, SACD far surpasses RBCD as a reproduction medium for classical music, conveying the 'you are there' experience in a way that utterly eludes RBCD. So, don't waste your money on a high-end RBCD player as only the importers and retailers will be happy - I guarantee you will not be! For the same money a SACD player will provide far more long lasting satisfaction.

In the same way as most RBCD users look down on MP3 so the gulf between SACD and RBCD is similar, they are all approximations based on sample rate and word length on the same ladder. SACD is best at the moment.

OK if you must buya RBCD player and classical is your thing then Combak's Reimyo 777 combo is so far ahead of anything else for realism that there is only one choice.

But what is the best player? Well, it's got to play SACD and RBCD for starters which the Reimyo can't do. The three main contenders are the Esoteric X-01D2, Krell Evolution 505 and Marantz SA7-S1. Of these, go for the Marantz.. it is the BEST 'CD player yet by a country mile and don't just take my word for it, ask Alvin Gold. Apart from it's price - by luck it is the least expensive of these - it offers real insight and emotion to the playback experience without sacrificing detail, dynamics, PRT and all the other hi-fi descriptors that get bandied about. Or to put it more simply it just plays music accurately and effortlessly and with great integrity.

Hi Firefox,

Welcome to the forum :)

Nice post above! I'm sure you'll get some good replies.

As per our new policy, can you please pop into the Welcome area and introduce yourself and the system you use to our members, also including your first name and basic location details?

Thank you.

Marco.

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Originally Posted by hiredfox

The Best? What means the Best...

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The 'best' is a personal thing to each and every individual, that's why the thread is entitled "Outstanding digital component". ;)

Welcome by the way. :)

I've heard well implemented RBCD comprehensively outperform poorly implemented SACD. I know logic tells me that hi-res should always be better, but RBCD already provides us with a very decent uncompressed format that when properly implemented can still work musical wonders.

I don't get to listen to lots of different gear, but did get an outstanding demo of an Oracle cd1500. It was the most effortless, detailed playback I've experienced. I will someday gravitate to owning one or something of it's calibre.

Similar to this one,K?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...r/DSCN0371.jpg

Sorry,meant to add,the above is just the transport.

Yes that is the one. Lovely piece of gear and it sounds even better than it looks!

*Note* - Series of irrelevant drivel posts (largely by clearly bored admin/mod) deleted in the interest of clarity.

Not moved to a different thread as it would make absolutely no sense whatsoever! ;)

There are two digital components which I would have to recommend:

Cowon iAudio M5L / X5 - Portable Music Player

This has a battery life of 35 hours, and a capacity of 20Gb. It's considered by many to have the best D/A of any portable, and it handles a good range of formats including OGG, FLAC, MP3, WAV etc. I have the open firmware Rockbox running on it and that turns a good player into a fantastic player. Rockbox supports virtually all non-DRM formats including Shorten, FLAC, AAC, OGG, WAV, MP3 and does this with a highly skinnable and customisable interface, and true-gapless playback. I know that the iPod does that now, but with SHN and FLAC? You can actually run Rockbox on an iPod, and it works really well, but the battery life of the Cowon and the fidelity make it the best hardware for their firmware in my opinion.

I have the monochrome display M5L, there's also the X5 which does video and colour display, but for me pure music playback is what I'm after, and I'm happy with the basic model. Can be picked up for around £100, but seems available only on eBay in the UK.

Tascam HD-P2 - Compact Flash Recorder
http://www.solidstatesound.co.uk/Tascam%20HD-P2.htm

I got this as an upgrade from my DA-20MkII DAT recorder, because I wanted 24 bit recording and the convenience of solid state CF recording when moving stuff to my computer for editing. I collect a lot of live audio recordings, and transfer a lot of stuff from tape and reel to digital, for archiving. I decided it was safer to record to a dedicated machine than get a high-end soundcard and then have to worry about other stuff running and competing for CPU cycles on my Mac. The HD-P2 is portable, though it's a lot bigger than things like the Zoom H4 and Edirol that do a similar job, but it's aimed at the professional field recorder and this portability was attractive to me because I don't have much space and I often travel to friends places to record their tapes when it's not possible to borrow them for any period of time... being larger it also has a fantastic clear display that's easily readable from feet away. The HD-P2 does 16 bit and 24 bit recording, with sample rates from 44.1 up to 192khz, supports timecode yada yada yada.

Compared with DAT CF recording is a breeze. Re-take as often as you like, without wearing the tape out. Zero risk of digi-noise which was the bane of DAT even when using new tape and with clean heads. And fast to transfer to the desktop for onward editing.

Just my two-penneth!

Good two penneths Beechy.

Hi Guys

I would like to suggest the AMR CD77.

I know its retro(using valves and a Philips TDA 1541 Dac module). But IMHO I think it offers a lot. Its not the most attractive CDP about but sound quality is for the money amazing. there is a quality and focus to the mid range that even my Moon Andromeda can't beat. Is the bass a bit soft,not in my system. The treble is very natural (not etched or to forward). It has been described as a Zanden for the many 6 Moons (I have never heard a Zanden,other than at shows), but if the AMR is any way like A Zanden I would love to hear one at home. Can't afford one of course and even if I could I don't think I could justify the cost.

Regards D S D L

My Ayre C-5xe is quite simply the best CD/SACD/DVD-A disc spinner I've heard. It has outstanding sound and does its job quietly and efficiently.

http://www.mtc.nildram.co.uk/images/Ayre C-5xe.jpg

One great dac,and you can find it in the secondhand market at a not so prohibitive price,
is the Audio Synthesis DAX Decade.

My humble Rotel which I keep meaning to change, but either don't have the funds, or get the readies but something else crops up! But it just keeps on playing and making quite decent music

One of the most musical and great pieces for myself the Wadia 15 dac

7520 dac, missing link cryo cables and Teac VRDS 20

Not strictly one component but several I suppose - Meridian DSP 5000 Speakers. Not the path to go down if you like upgrading but imho when heard you would never find a reason to do so.

linn majik ds is a work of genius, it sounds simply amazing it has completely solved all of the isssues i had with my hifis sound
and i can control it with my laptop or (old) pda, if i leave the pda in the dock by the tv and change the music with the pc the dock displays what is playing. and to top it off that although it is hard wired to the router it is linked wirelessly to the pc where all the music is at the other end of the house, and works flawlessly.
everyone who had a cd player should sell it, put there cds to flac and buy a linn ds and i mean everyone!
on top of this, i have a 7520 upstairs where the pc with the music on is and that sounds bloody amazing and i havent even put any new opamps in it .
the guy who came round to set up the linn ds said stans dac with my tripath and dynaudio a42s sounded "absolutly outstanding, quite frankly stageringly good value for money"
needless to say, it all good in the digital domain of the house of gill

Or you can get a Freecom 350 or 450 wireless router and hook it up to the TC-7520. Far cheaper.

The Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J that I have now sounds great, especially considering its price point. It plays SACD's and CD's, both of which sound excellent. However the CD's actually come out sounding better.

An old time favorite of mine is the Sony DVP-NS755V from years ago. I still have it and use it from time to time. It's main design was DVD, but it's audio section is stellar, being able to play CD's and SACD's with DSD decoding. I've never done a side-by-side comparison between it and the Elite, but I bet they would be extremely close.

Now if I could find one at a good price in excellent shape, it would have to be the Wadia 860. Where I worked at the time, I had plenty of play time with this CD player and absolutely loved it. I had the chance to get one at cost, but the turbo on my car blew up and I had to put the $$$ towards that instead. Figures... :steam:

Still my favorite after almost two years, the Naim CD555.

It should be bloody good at that price, too! ;)

I do rate the 555, but just as good can be had for MUCH less money. You should research some of the classic CDPs using TDA1541 chips, especially those that have been heavily modified (see my sig :eyebrows:), and the likes of the Oracle (see our banner, top R/H corner).

Marco.

I nominate the Slim Devices (Logitech) Transporter

http://www.technobear.btinternet.co....ransporter.jpg

It sounds better than any CD player at the price (and a few that cost more including the Audionet ART V2 which I sold).

It's also a very versatile machine with AES/BNC/Coax/Optical digital inputs and outputs. It's even possible to use these inputs and outputs as an effects loop with a Behringer DEQ or such like.

It plays 24/96 (stunning).

And then there's all those internet radio stations.

Best of all, each time I upgrade my amp or speakers, the Transporter just steps up to the plate. What an amazing machine.

Just spotted this thread and thought I'd add my tuppence worth.

I heard the new Rega Isis a couple of weeks ago and it's the best CD player I've heard by quite a large margin. It's also incredibly well made with nary a screw in sight and the finish is the doggies.:smoking:

I second Technobear and nominate the Logitech Slim Devices Transporter.

I've had mine for 2 weeks now and it is just opening up the music so much more than the previous SB/DACMagic (both with improved PSUs). There are rumours of it discontinuing so I got one before it possibly disappears! Get one while you can.

Regards

Neil

I would like to nominate the iPod Classic :

http://images.apple.com/euro/ipodcla...ro20090909.jpg

Large capacity (160Go - 650 lossless albums), very decent in-built dac and headphone amplifier, compact, reliable.

A miracle component, allowing music lovers who don't want compromised quality and who are often away from their home, to be able to listen to their discography.
Moreover, with a simple dock cable, it can be used in most cars.

An iPod and an excellent headphone is all what you need to get a more-than-decent quality. :)

The problem with iPods is iTunes. Nasty, nasty sh*tware that I've seen stuff many a computer at my place of work (a school). Best avoided.

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Originally Posted by MartinT

The problem with iPods is iTunes. Nasty, nasty sh*tware that I've seen stuff many a computer at my place of work (a school). Best avoided.

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I use MediaMonkey to sync Ipods (and to manage the tags of my FLAC library). ;)

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The problem with iPods is iTunes

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:exactly:

Amen.

I would like to nominate the Onkyo ND-S1 iPod Dock.
It is the first affordable iPOD docking station I know of that works trouble free with the Caiman DAC via both Coax and TOSLINK connections.
http://www.hifivision.com/attachment...view-photo.jpg

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

I would like to nominate the Onkyo ND-S1 iPod Dock.
It is the first affordable iPOD docking station I know of that works trouble free with the Caiman DAC via both Coax and TOSLINK connections.
http://www.hifivision.com/attachment...view-photo.jpg

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Seconded. Really nice and affordable piece, the ND-S1. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

I would like to nominate the Onkyo ND-S1 iPod Dock.
It is the first affordable iPOD docking station I know of that works trouble free with the Caiman DAC via both Coax and TOSLINK connections.
http://www.hifivision.com/attachment...view-photo.jpg

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As most of us are not members of "India's Audio Video Hi-Fi Forum", we cannot see the photo :(