Alright, last part of the Digital frontier....

[Joey_V]

Alright guys... this is what I have come down to after several weeks researching on the 'net. As most of you know, I am after a DAC for my FLACs (from SB3) first and foremost, BUT I would also like to have something that works as a CDP if possible as I foresee myself getting CDs (and possibly SACD if I get the right unit).

So here are the contenders:
1. Cary Audio 303/200 (CDP + DAC) - clean and quick way to getting into the CDP market and a good DAC built in also. About $1300 on 'gon.

2. Cary Audio 306/200 (CDP + DAC) - robust build quality, great reviews, probably comparable to some of the better CDPs out there from Ayre and Esoteric. About $2000 on 'gon.

3. Cary Audio 306/300 aka 306-SACD (SACD + DAC) - hailed by many as the second coming, so much good reviews about this CDP on the internet. Looks killer also in the full aluminum chassis, makes the other two look cheap. Expensive, at about $3800 on 'gon.

4. PS Audio Digital Link III (DAC only) - new and hyped up. Not sure how it compares to the others that have been here for some time now. About $695 from my friend MLS.

Those are pretty much the four choices I'm looking at. I am going to try to audition the PS Audio here at home and see what it brings me. However, the 306/200 looks to be the best buy of the 4 seeing how it has such an awesome following and a great topology to boot. The 306-SACD seems to be the splurge it all unit for me... not sure if I really want to eat Ramen again. The Cary 303/200 seems to be the other best buy as it gets me to a good CDP and DAC combo. The PS Audio is the cheapest and easiest hit to take.

Not sure what to do... still mulling it over, but I would really appreciate some feedback from all you guys. I know I posted a similar thread before, but this is far more "for real". Last time, I didnt have much of a direction to head out into.

Anyway, as always, thanks guys for bearing with me!

Joey

 

[DrJRapp]

Joey

You may want to take a look at the Esoteric SA60.
I can be had new for around $3K and I understand it sounds very close to an Esoteric X-03, which I consider the best I've ever heard. I have a friend that replaced his Cary 306/300 SACD with the SA60 and is very pleased with the "upgrade". I'm considering the SA60 to front end my BAT VK31SE & Aragon Palladiums currently teamed to my Summits.

 

[twich54]

Joey, as you know I own the 303/300 and while a 'redbook' only player I couldn't be happier. From what you have posted so far it seems your leaning towards Cary somewhat, so is SACD big in your future ?? and if so how big is Jazz and Classical for you ?? for if not then SACD offerings tend to be rather limited.

Also don't dismiss the wisdom that Dan has imparted regarding the great experience he has had with 'Modded' players.

 

[ralflar]

Joey, do yourself a favor and mark "SACD" as a must-have feature on your requirements list.

 

[Joey_V]

Joey, as you know I own the 303/300 and while a 'redbook' only player I couldn't be happier. From what you have posted so far it seems your leaning towards Cary somewhat, so is SACD big in your future ?? and if so how big is Jazz and Classical for you ?? for if not then SACD offerings tend to be rather limited.

Also don't dismiss the wisdom that Dan has imparted regarding the great experience he has had with 'Modded' players.

Dave,
I know you have the 303/300, which is something I would've picked up if only it had a DAC. I know about Dan's modded players and those are great, but I cant find one to demo nor do they have digital inputs, which I so sorely require (unless I'm mistaken). I'm not sure if I truly "need" SACD, which is why I'm very much leaning towards the 306/200 because of it's great design/topology.

Raflar,
SACD.... the one thing I have read is that if you go with an SACD player is that it compromises the transport for the CD "redbook"... is this true? There are people out there who despise having a universal SACD/CD player because of some sort of a digital storage that an SACD transport has to implement to read a regular CD. Is this true?

Doc,
I will look at the Esoteric, if it has digital inputs, then it's going on my list.

Others,
If you guys know of any good CDP out there with digital inputs, I would like to know. If you guys like to push for one of the choices I have posted, let me know also. I hope to get this CDP/DAC rather soon. The cheaper, the sooner. If it's the Cary 306SACD, I may have to wait a few weeks or months.

Thanks again,
Joey

 

[Spike]

SimAudio Moon Eclipse

Hey Joey,
This SimAudio Moon Eclipse just popped up on A'Gon.

Good luck
Spike

 

[DTB300]

I know about Dan's modded players and those are great, but I cant find one to demo nor do they have digital inputs, which I so sorely require (unless I'm mistaken). I'm not sure if I truly "need" SACD, which is why I'm very much leaning towards the 306/200 because of it's great design/topology.

The Sony and Denon players, that most seem to be modding, usually have both CoAx and Fiber inputs. 999ES, 9100, 3910, etc. A quick look at the Sony and Denon sites confirmed them. Also an email to the modders, Dan and Alan who I would prefer, will result in a very quick return of email answering your questions.

SACD is a question worth asking about when deciding about a player.

Then there is the Universal question versus audio only. Remember you can pick up an Oppo for great DVD playback.

Hearing one of the modded players is a problem unless you know someone with one. It would be hard to believe that there is no one in the Chicago area that does not have a modded player either by Modwright or Vacuum State. Make a post over at the Asylum in Hi-Rez seeing if someone would let you come over to listen to their players. You could even email the modders asking about customers in your area.

With so many great posts and reviews about the modded players compared to stock players out there costing 2-3 times more, it would be hard to believe everyone is blowing smoke about them.

Dan

 

[Joey_V]

Hey Joey,
This SimAudio Moon Eclipse just popped up on A'Gon.

Good luck
Spike

Spike,

That just sold. Looked to be a pretty solid cdp, although the seller told me that he felt it was too harsh.

Thanks though!
Joey

 

[Joey_V]

The Sony and Denon players, that most seem to be modding, usually have both CoAx and Fiber inputs. 999ES, 9100, 3910, etc. A quick look at the Sony and Denon sites confirmed them. Also an email to the modders, Dan and Alan who I would prefer, will result in a very quick return of email answering your questions.

SACD is a question worth asking about when deciding about a player.

Then there is the Universal question versus audio only. Remember you can pick up an Oppo for great DVD playback.

Hearing one of the modded players is a problem unless you know someone with one. It would be hard to believe that there is no one in the Chicago area that does not have a modded player either by Modwright or Vacuum State. Make a post over at the Asylum in Hi-Rez seeing if someone would let you come over to listen to their players. You could even email the modders asking about customers in your area.

With so many great posts and reviews about the modded players compared to stock players out there costing 2-3 times more, it would be hard to believe everyone is blowing smoke about them.

Dan

THanks for the input Dan, as usual! I'll look into who has the modded cdp here, if any. No doubt they sound great.

 

[Pcar928fan]

Spike,

That just sold. Looked to be a pretty solid cdp, although the seller told me that he felt it was too harsh.

Thanks though!
Joey

I like that MOON gear! I think it looks COOL! They say it is built like a brick $hit house too! A guy here in Austin sells the stuff from time to time, but he does not keep a stock because it is so expensive (that would be Sound Mind Audio my friends, and he will be on TV with Fred Cantu tonight on the news as well!)

Joey, hope your 24 on went ok and was not to overwhelming! Now you can relax w/ some Summit music!

 

[Joey_V]

I like that MOON gear! I think it looks COOL! They say it is built like a brick $hit house too! A guy here in Austin sells the stuff from time to time, but he does not keep a stock because it is so expensive (that would be Sound Mind Audio my friends, and he will be on TV with Fred Cantu tonight on the news as well!)

Joey, hope your 24 on went ok and was not to overwhelming! Now you can relax w/ some Summit music!

Thanks James! It went ok.. actually it spilled over to about a 31hr shift. BUT, I'm home and I'm going to nap. I have an exam tomorrow so I'm just killing time right now on MLO, but I should go now, you reminded me that I'm dilly-dallying.

I agree, Moon gear look killer, but reading reviews have got me kind of not too excited about the prior Eclipse CDP, edgy always comes up for some reason, and being Sim Audio's first cdp, I'd probably pass on that particular one. I read a review on either TAS or S-phile about the Super Nova... I'll reread it again before I nap.

I really think the Carys are for me. I think what I'm going to do is go with the 306/200 for now, and then wait a little bit until the 306SACD go down in price and get that later this year or the next.

I guess, what I'm saying is, anything is better than the stock DACs and the non-regulated power supply of the Squeezebox3.

 

[Pcar928fan]

Thanks James! It went ok.. actually it spilled over to about a 31hr shift.

Dude, I don't know how or why you guys put up with it! Glad you do, we need all of you doctor types when we get sick, but you all sure to have to put up with a bunch of crap for a bunch years before you get to a serious pay off, if you ever even get there these days. It is plain WRONG!

Good luck on the test there Joey!

 

[SCompRacer]

It would be hard to believe that there is no one in the Chicago area that does not have a modded player either by Modwright or Vacuum State.

Your right Dan. Joey is most welcome to a demo at my place, that is if he is able to come down this far South with his grueling schedule. I have a Platinum Level ModWright Sony 9100ES with tubed PS and I am very pleased with it.

 

[Joey_V]

Rich/Dan,

That's probably what I'm going to have to put on my to do list.... but it's difficult to demo when you dont have a reference point or if it isnt in your own system. What I'll most probably do is go with something like the Cary 306/200 and then later this summer, head down to Rich's place and compare to his Modwright. If the Modwright is better, then it's time to swap cdps again. It's probably the only way I'll get a bearing on a particular reference point.

Thanks,
Joey

PS
Headed to an exam, wish me luck... be back at noon.

 

[Joey_V]

Yess.... survived the exam, first one out too!

 

[sleepysurf]

Yess.... survived the exam, first one out too!

Mozart Effect?

 

[Joey_V]

Mozart Effect?

Well, I listened to the Fray when I was getting ready this morning and doing last minute studying.... and when I got to the exam, I started humming most of the time.

So I think the Summits were exerting their influence on me..... so hah! Not only do the Summits do good music, but they also do good exams!

Joey :haha1: :cheers: