4 CDP's

[Asit]

Ajay,
Congratulations. I hope this combination works out for you, although I am slightly clueless about the method you used for your selection .

Just like to point out (probably you already know) that any player that plays redbook cds will also play xrcds. That means your arcam already can play them. I know a few who do not like xrcds. To be sure, do not order many at a time.

Regards.

 

[shershah]

Any inputs on sacd's ?

well,

"if you plan to take your SACD seriously, you will also need to consider investing in five identical full-range speakers." (quoted by those in the know)

wrong path for you!

and again, excerpt,

"SACD compatible players are not permitted to send DSD digital content over an unencrypted digital audio link; if you do, the content protection mechanism will force the SACD player or compatible DVD-player to downgrade to ordinary CD audio quality due to concerns about digital copying."

 

[malvai]

well,

"if you plan to take your SACD seriously, you will also need to consider investing in five identical full-range speakers." (quoted by those in the know)

wrong path for you!

and again, excerpt,

"SACD compatible players are not permitted to send DSD digital content over an unencrypted digital audio link; if you do, the content protection mechanism will force the SACD player or compatible DVD-player to downgrade to ordinary CD audio quality due to concerns about digital copying."

absolutely right my mughalai friend!

 

[sidvee]

well,

"if you plan to take your SACD seriously, you will also need to consider investing in five identical full-range speakers." (quoted by those in the know)

wrong path for you!

and again, excerpt,

"SACD compatible players are not permitted to send DSD digital content over an unencrypted digital audio link; if you do, the content protection mechanism will force the SACD player or compatible DVD-player to downgrade to ordinary CD audio quality due to concerns about digital copying."

Not necessary - you can get excellent SACD fidelity with just two channels, in fact quite a lot of SACD's are two channel only - I have at-least 20 SACD's that are stereo only and their SQ is excellent. Again there are 2 camps with some preferring surround sound and some staunchly in favor of stereo.
Secondly you can connect your SACD player to your preamp using analog RCA outputs (in-fact the only method) to take advantage of the DSD content so why would you consider a digital link - unless of-course you are trying to use an outboard DAC which wont work with SACD.
Cheers
Sid

 

[ajay124]

@Asit
"I am slightly clueless about the method you used for your selection"

I believe there is NO substitute for buying equipment based on independent research and independent auditions.
Unfortunately I am living in a region where the concept of HiFi for most people are 5.1 'creative' 'altec lansing' etc.
computer speakers all placed in a single line,close together on a shelf,like birds sitting on a wire.

Visiting the two-three hifi stores in the city is an interesting experience.One frequently hears comments like
'Stereo' is outdated and 'Home Theatre' is the latest technology
'Bose' makes the best HiFi systems in the world
Sony is very good and beyond that one can buy Marantz,Denon or Yamaha for the 'ultimate music' experience.
Wharfedale makes 'high end' British speakers.Very expensive but fantastic sound reproductions.
Dac cables at 40-50 inr per meter are the best that money can buy.QED and Chord make very expensice cables and IC's but no demand so no stock.
I am certain that similar sentiments are echoed in most Indian tier two cities.

Therefore apart from a hurried trip to Delhi(unsatisfactory)and Bangalore(better),I have to rely on Google and Hifivision
I believe that Ayon CD1/Bryston BCD 1/Arcam FMJ37/Electrocompaniet EC1 are very good cd players.Can't conclude anything about Naim without an audition.
But the one's I personally liked on paper are
Ayre cd 7xe,Meridian Go 6.2,Accuphase Dp 400,Esoteric SA10.
Any of these would be great to have in a two channel set up worth 500K or even beyond.I believe they would perform wonderfully well.
I ruled out the Accuphase because it was much more expensive than the rest.I ruled out the Meridian and Ayre because I wanted a state of the art transport,
and I felt that VOSP/SA Series and VRDS/XO Series of Esoteric are the best options.
By most accounts Esoteric outputs enormous amounts of information with a great deal of accuracy.I don't go by words like 'warm' 'cold' 'emotional' 'musical' etc.
on forums and reviews as all these are subjective and would vary from listener to listner.

No intention at the moment but no harm in having a dream for the future.
If I ever want a 'completely different' system,I may opt for
Accuphase DP 400+Accuphase E 450+Sonus Faber Cremona M.
I have invested ONLY in down in the dumps real estate stocks-DLF and HDIL-and plan to accumulate and hold until the valuation increases by at least 500%.
If my 'calculated' gamble pays off sooner or later,I may follow my 'new' dream

 

[prem]

Hi Ajay 124

Hope your dream comes true. If you ever go for Accuphase go for 600 series cd player. Not the 400 or 500 series.

 

[ajay124]

There seem to be many different opinions regarding sacd,xrcd,pcm,dsd,upsampling,converting,filtering....
I selected the SA10 primarily for playing red book cdp's.But since it plays sacd in two channel mode,I will give it a try.The SA 10 does not have multi channel options and I am not interested in them.I have read that Bach's Organ Works sound very good on sacd.That's the music I would like to try on sacd.If I am happy I will buy some more.Otherwise I will stick to redbook.I do not intend to change or experiment with a different set of interconnects.

 

[prem]

The new japanese SHM SACD s are very good. You have a lot of choices on classical. The only downside is the pricing. Cost about $60 a sacd.

 

[ajay124]

Currently I am using single ended RCA because neither the Arcam nor the Bryston pre provide an XLR option.But my still to arrive :sad: Esoteric SA10 has fully balanced output.Would upgrading to a balanced pre be a worthwhile exercise?

 

[prem]

If you want to go balanced, make sure you go balanced from pre to power also. I do not know about SA10 but on the higher models, Esoteric sounds a wee bit better going balanced. However i go single ended.

 

[Dr.Bass]

The subject of Balanced Vs Single Ended has again been something which has never reached a conclusion. The technical side of it says, if a component is "Differentially" balanced from "Input to Output" (in non technical term it is also referred to as fully balanced) then the case for going balanced is very strong. There are many equipments in which only the output stage is balanced, these are typically designed for single ended operation but also support balanced connections in some sense. In such cases it is a hit and trial which mode sounds better. Then there is a majority of equipments which are purely single ended but have an XLR socket as well, the XLR is just a parallel connection to the RCA socket. This is only provided for cable compatibility.

Sonically, as much as I have heard and discussed with friends in this hobby, some components are simply designed to sound better in balanced and vice versa, these are no brainer. While, many components even though have a balanced connection can sound better in single ended mode. One needs to find out unless the manufacturer clearly specifies. In general the advantage of going balanced is mainly lower noise floor and a stronger signal flow. While the argument in favour of Single ended is it sounds more grounded, an all balanced system can sound somewhat light as if the musicians and the instruments are just touching the ground (not solidly grounded). But then again a well designed balanced equipment should sound the same as a well designed single ended equipment (since cable lengths in home systems are very short). Only thing, balanced equipments will cost a lot more because of usage of lot more parts inside.

 

[jls001]

try elusivedisc.com
..

Also, try Label - at CD Universe

 

[dinyaar]

Currently I am using single ended RCA because neither the Arcam nor the Bryston pre provide an XLR option.But my still to arrive :sad: Esoteric SA10 has fully balanced output.Would upgrading to a balanced pre be a worthwhile exercise?

Hi Ajay
Upgrading to a balanced Pre ?????? I presume from the Bryston stable. I would not spend that much money JUST for the sake of going fully balanced. The BP 6 is capable and the 16 or even the 26 (4 X the price) is not worth the extra dough for what little incremental benefits it MAY bring. Having said that i have not heard the BP 26 much but have extensively heard the 16 and the 25 and owned the BP 6 for about 2 years.

If both your cdp & pre /power or integrated had a fully balanced topology then it would make sense to go balanced. In my limited experience with Esoteric I find that I get more out of the machine with an XLR. ( have compared RCA vs XLR using the same VDH D 102 cable).

Lastly for guys going balanced there is no need to really spend big bucks. Me & a few buddies bought 25 meters of VDH D102 Mk 3 and made all the cables we required. I made a few balanced with Neutrik XLRs (the all black ones) and the entire cable cost me about 6K (1 meter pair) I am happy with the end result and hence I sold off a lot of single ended ICs at fancy prices :yahoo:

Rgds

 

[grubyhalo]

...Me & a few buddies bought 25 meters of VDH D102 Mk 3 and made all the cables we required...

Could you please tell me where you sourced the raw cable from?

 

[ajay124]

@Dinyaar
I am very happy with the BP6 pre.Have no intention of changing it.Simply wanted to discuss the balanced option.If I ever change amps,it will only be for an Accuphase E450 or E460.And then I would come asking for one of your wonder VDH/Neutriks

 

[ajay124]

Coming soon!
ESOTERIC Super Audio CD/CD Player SA-10 | ESOTERIC COMPANY
The long wait has been made bearable by the fact that in recent month's the Arcam's performance has been revelatory.As the power supply has gradually become better the sound has become more liquid,resolving and detailed.No way it sounds like a midfi cdp.Recently a friend took one audition and has already agreed to buy it.I am waiting for the Esoteric to arrive in March,when I will part with the Arcam with immense regret.I have traded in and sold quite a bit of hifi but this would be the first time,I would be selling something that has given me so much pleasure and that I love so much.

 

[prem]

Thats great. Esoteric responds to power cords. Stay away from any cable that slows the pace a bit. Esoteric does not like power cords that filter the power. Lessloss is an exception

 

[arj]

Coming soon!
ESOTERIC Super Audio CD/CD Player SA-10 | ESOTERIC COMPANY
The long wait has been made bearable by the fact that in recent month's the Arcam's performance has been revelatory.As the power supply has gradually become better the sound has become more liquid,resolving and detailed.No way it sounds like a midfi cdp.Recently a friend took one audition and has already agreed to buy it.I am waiting for the Esoteric to arrive in March,when I will part with the Arcam with immense regret.I have traded in and sold quite a bit of hifi but this would be the first time,I would be selling something that has given me so much pleasure and that I love so much.

Ajay, welcome to the group which is seeing benefits with better power to the source !. your experience is just confirming my belief on the best upgrade youcan make..specifically with the souce is better power :clapping:

I am really coming to believe now that people who are looking for an "Upgrade" to their sound with the source, should first try the power option before an component option !

cannot wait to hear your experience with the Esoteric...

 

[ajay124]

Ajay, welcome to the group which is seeing benefits with better power to the source !. your experience is just confirming my belief on the best upgrade youcan make..specifically with the souce is better power :clapping:

I am really coming to believe now that people who are looking for an "Upgrade" to their sound with the source, should first try the power option before an component option !

cannot wait to hear your experience with the Esoteric...

I completely agree with you on that.Clean regulated power from start to finish HAS to be the first upgrade.Without this all other upgrades will only be partially successful.I believe the benefits of clean power would be easily audible as long as the recordings-source-amp-speaker-ic-speaker cables are all of a decent and evenly matched quality.
I am confident that the Esoteric sound will be to my liking and an improvement over the Arcam.I just hope that the unit,bought blind,is in good shape

 

[ajay124]

My SACD player has still not come, but I am becoming a fan of hybrid SACD's. The sound of the same, on my redbook Arcam cdp is sensational!

IMO, before blowing serious money on cdp, amp, speaker or cable upgrades, two channel enthusiast's should listen to a few hybrid SACD's. The detail, dynamics and tonality is far superior to what you get from an ordinary cd.

As someone who is more or less convinced, that two channel/ compact disc/ solid state, is the road to audio nirvana, I would recommend hybrid or full SACD's to those who have a similar inclination.