4 CDP's

[hifiashok]

i keep a piece of wood near me - all the time -

in the car - beneath the seat - and each time i venture forth - i say - "Touch Wood" - three times.

yeah, but apart from our infirmities -

do you use that PC for music duties?

yes and no. yes, for mp3, flac, etc., but no, not for the AP kind (with an amp., hi-falutin' speakers, et al).

 

[hifiashok]

@hifiashok
Just noticed your GK 2 location.Practically neighbours with Sound of Music.
Have you heard the Meridian CDP's there.Models?Price?

heard, yes. details, are in one of kamalji's delhi ap g2g write-ups on the forum.

Also,more about the Sooloos.Does it work independently of the computer?Can you rip cd's directly on to the Sooloos.What output options are there for connecting to the Amp.Balanced?Single Ended?Price?

yes to all and whatever options you may need. price, sounded too expensive for us to even ask.

I remember using it during an audition at Sound Of Music.Very nice interface.But I was focusing on Vienna Acoustic speakers then.Did not inquire about Meridian.

they now hav a dedicated meridian HT room.

 

[square_wave]

@ajay,


You need to be using an asynchronous USB dac to maximize the benefits of PC audio. You will need to get a dedicated pc or some other solution (with an interface) which will output through USB.

Currently there are some expensive options (mostly overpriced pcs in fancy cases) due to the niche customer base. Since this is a very technical domain unlike the black art of analogue, once the customer base increases, you will find very cheap solutions hitting the market soon.

Digital cables just need to be technically correct. It will work just as well or better than most which comes sheathed in wool or whatever. Analogue cables are a different ball game altogether.

 

[captrajesh]

Guys like me living most of the time "there" and coming "here" home on a few days holidays now and then always have several things to settle at the family front which always get the precedence over and above "listening sessions" with like-minded fellows, especially with those who have nothing much to do.

the gentleman who wants to come and listen at my home should have sent me a pm as the first step instead of posting publicly; I am not running a audio-video shop to buy and sell things, nor am I full time living in my place interacting with local members.

SORRY FOR THE OT BUT COULDN'T RESIST

Was out and just catching up on the thread. How arrogant and insensitive a person can get!!!

 

[hifiashok]

SORRY FOR THE OT BUT COULDN'T RESIST

Was out and just catching up on the thread. How arrogant and insensitive a person can get!!!

if one objectively reads this specific post and the quotes therein, it is quite unclear who you are referring to above. just an observation, no intention to start or add to a/any debate whatsoever.

 

[santhosh]

What I would like to know is,will the USB cable transfer this data to the Dac,as effectively as the Transparent IC transfers data from the CDP to the Pre Amp.

Considering the importance of Transport in a CDP, I am also wondering if there will be a loss when copying/ripping from a CD using a mass-produced CD-ROM? Or is this taken care of by checksum since it is digital format.

 

[hifiashok]

Considering the importance of Transport in a CDP, I am also wondering if there will be a loss when copying/ripping from a CD using a mass-produced CD-ROM? Or is this taken care of by checksum since it is digital format.

oh! u would be amazed (as I was). a CD disc copy isn't bit perfect!!!

 

[square_wave]

Considering the importance of Transport in a CDP, I am also wondering if there will be a loss when copying/ripping from a CD using a mass-produced CD-ROM? Or is this taken care of by checksum since it is digital format.

This is another problem which needs to be addressed.
Technically speaking a pristine HD download is the best one can get. Software EAC seems to be doing a good job of the ripping. The jury is still out on how accurate they are.

Nothing is perfect.

One should compare both and see:

1.An EAC rip on a HHD + asynchronous DAC
2.Same thing on the original cd played on a similar priced cd player or transport/dac combo

 

[ajay124]

Interesting thread on CD's and CDP's!

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/archive/index.php/t-159567-p-2.html

Some of the posters seem to think that original CD recordings are better than the newer remastered one's.I got a whiff of this at Lyrita,where I felt Viren's jazz Cd's purchased many decades back,sounded better than my remastered one's.It is a fact that earlier recordings would have been made by clued-in jazz/rock/classical enthusiasts,where as the current version's of a Miles Davis or a Jimi Hendrix may have been remastered by a 20 something who at home listens to Justin Bieber!

 

[ajay124]

Considering the importance of Transport in a CDP, I am also wondering if there will be a loss when copying/ripping from a CD using a mass-produced CD-ROM? Or is this taken care of by checksum since it is digital format.

A few months back a DVD got struck in the slot loading drive of my iMac.None of the recommended fixes worked.The only option was to go to an Apple Sevice Centre,where because the Mac was out of warranty and the work was complicated they demanded 2500/.
Rather than spending money at the service centre who promised to take out the DVD,but were providing no guarantee for potential damage to the drive,I decided to buy an external DVD drive instead.I opted for a Mac compatible Iomega external USB drive for 3500/-
The point of this post is,that it is my impression(may be wrong) that the external Iomega drive rips and burns better quality music,more efficiently,than the inbuilt Pioneer drive used to.

 

[captrajesh]

if one objectively reads this specific post and the quotes therein, it is quite unclear who you are referring to above. just an observation, no intention to start or add to a/any debate whatsoever.

Hi Hifiashok,

I was touring and caught up with HFV on a detailed note only today. The reference to 'OT' was purely pointing to my own post (so as not to offend the OP) since he, (justifiably so) appeared flustered by the OT discussion that went on which he expressed in the post referred below:-

The objective behind this thread was to learn more about cdp's priced in the 100K-200K segment.Can we please get back to that now?

@OP, sorry for the OT. No more of it, I promise.

 

[ajay124]

Norman Audio
Has anybody visited Norman Audio,Singapore recently?
Would like to know best price for the Ayre CX 7e.

 

[marsilians]

Norman Audio
Has anybody visited Norman Audio,Singapore recently?
Would like to know best price for the Ayre CX 7e.

This is a excellent CDP built for dynamics and soundstage. The pricing I have seen (converted to SGD) are 4500 - 5000

 

[ajay124]

This is a excellent CDP built for dynamics and soundstage. The pricing I have seen (converted to SGD) are 4500 - 5000

At the moment I am more inclined towards the Ayre CX-7e or the Meridian Go 6.2.
Intend to focus my research more on these two,and preferably audition both,in the near future,whenever a visit to Singapore works out.
Any idea about the Indian price for the Meridian?I would appreciate any information about these cdp's,especially from folks who have auditioned or used either of the two.
Also about the Audio Note CD 2.1X/2,which was recommended on this thread.

 

[ajay124]

Tales from Norwegian Woods
Electrocompaniet EMC 1 UP CD player Review - Equipment Reviews - Dagogo

 

[bhagwan]

@manav
As much as I like the Mac book,I am not sure that I would want it atop my audio rack.I still prefer the simplicity of cdp/pre/power/speakers.For me,bringing a Mac into the mix,would visually make the set up look like a computer with an audio system attached to it:sad:
And I am still not convinced that a MacDac would be able to beat a good cdp.Since I have already invested in cd's and am happy with the sound,it really does not matter to me which way the world is heading.I would be happy if the world starts phasing out cdp's.Perhaps then we will get the Esoterics,Accuphases and Meridians under five figures inr

Well, I have done the comparo - not with a MacDac but PC Dac & the Computer is 'better' !!

So, After having 5K CD's I have still shifted to Foobar / DAC [computer audio]. It is 'for the better' ! just my 2 cents...
:clapping:

 

[bhagwan]

At the moment I am more inclined towards the Ayre CX-7e or the Meridian Go 6.2.
Intend to focus my research more on these two,and preferably audition both,in the near future,whenever a visit to Singapore works out.
Any idea about the Indian price for the Meridian?I would appreciate any information about these cdp's,especially from folks who have auditioned or used either of the two.
Also about the Audio Note CD 2.1X/2,which was recommended on this thread.

SOM - ND sells Meridian - 098100 50300 [for price]

I have a Meridian 808i.2 for sale - brand new - never opened or played - going @ 50 % off. 18K US is list.

There is also a Audio Note DAC for sale in Mumbai - a friend has it, can send his details - pm me - talk direct.

There may also be an 'old' Electro - EMC-1 for sale - my 'old' player with a fellow audiophile & that may go @ 100 K - again you may pm me for details.

The Ayre too is a good option to consider - I like Ayre products - actually had purchased their Pre many years back for my Bryston 7B SST's ..... Changed my mind and had gone in for a Pass Labs X-1 [really a great pre for its price] !

 

[bhagwan]

Norman Audio
Has anybody visited Norman Audio,Singapore recently?
Would like to know best price for the Ayre CX 7e.

I was there in August - on my way back from HK Audio Show - I had stopped over in Singapore for 4 nights.
Did visit.
Have known him for a while - keep meeting him in Singapore & in Munich [May].
He has stopped offering me products @ good rates....
I do not know if he does it to others....
I got the Ayon Skylla DAC in from there & it is a good product. I like Gerhard's design. Very musical indeed....

 

[ajay124]

A simple,straightforward review of the Bryston BCD 1.
http://www.audioxpress.com/reviews/media/frane610.pdf
The more I hear the Bryston Pre/Power and the Vienna Acoustic's,the more I feel that I want them around for many years to come.No upgrade fever on those.None at all.
Last night I had another sensational session,with a 'borrowed' cd,something I had a brief but intense love affair with 25 years ago,and have not heard much since then.Alan Parson's Project.I used to be pretty fond of two of their albums,Eye In The Sky and Pyramid.Last night when I heard 'Old and Wise', after so many years,it was beautiful.Every piece of rock music I heard in the 70's,80's has so many memories attached....memories that come alive when I play the music now.
Anyway last nights session was sensational,not so much for the quality of the music,but rather for the quality of the recording.I have heard and read about Alan Parson's sound engineering abilities,but my earlier impression was based on cassettes played on broken down Sony/Panasonic recorders.With my present set up the SQ was stunning.I played the entire 2 CD Essential Alan Parson CD set,late into the night and when it was over I moved on to a remastered Anthology of CCR,but the magical SQ of Alan Parson was missing.
http://www.theavenueonline.info/images/covers/essential3.jpg

 

[ajay124]

Anybody with knowledge or experience with the Simaudio Moon 3.3 CDP?
Pricing?
Performance?
Comparison with the Arcam CD 192 that I am currently using.
Simaudio MOON CD3.3 Disc Player