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  3. 982520754

Coping in an Age of Uncertainty

there have been numerous threads here, i know, about sacd v. dvd-a, upsampling, oversampling, etc. a number of these threads have included discussions of which, if any, new digital format will replace what we now call “redbook” cd’s. i don’t wish to rehash these discussions. rather, i’d like to hear from others how they are coping with the “age of uncertainty” in the realm of digital audio. is it better to “roll the dice” and invest in sacd or dvd a? ignore the contenders for the new and get the best possible out of redbook cd’s? buy with upgradeability firmly in mind? follow another path? i don’t post this query out of mere curiosity. i really haven’t figured out what course i should follow. i’d appreciate your giving me a hand. -kelly
cornfedboy
la_order
2 posts
 
I still have my redbook cd player and am extremely happy with it. However I continue to seriously ponder purchasing a universal player - despite the fact that I almost always choose music over video and I have separate setups. Why do I choose music? It sounds wonderful and can transport me away from the anxieties of the moment. However I continue to think about buying a universal player. I do not own any dvd-a. I own a few hybrid sacds. I own 2,000 redbook cds. If I throw away and stop reading my stereophile magazines would that stop the "want"? I am currently in the "I am not buying an universal player" mode. Most likely will be here for a while.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Other than the availability of some outstanding modified digital sources based on Universal players, I don't personally see the need to own a Universal player if the vast majority of one's music is on redbook CDs, and if the player is used in a two channel music system versus a HT system.

I initially bought a Universal player thinking I'd play my large collection of DVD music concerts, but the reality is that I seldom listen to them in my music system. I'd probably play them more often if I had a video monitor hooked up in that system, but I'm dead set against adding a video monitor to the music room.

I have three SACDs, and I rarely listen to them. In fact, I own Beck's "Sea Change" on both SACD and redbook, and I prefer the redbook version. I find it has a jump factor that I enjoy.

At the risk of placing an ad for APL, I'll quickly mention that Alex Peychev is modding a Marantz CD player, which costs a total of $1100 for the complete package, including the player. If I was in the market for a CD only player, I'd look into this. He's offering a 30 day MBG.
pardales
652 posts
 
I have gone hard drive. I use a Mac laptop running iTunes, and a 500 GB hard-drive. WIth a high speed internet connection I get about 300+ radio stations and have about 600 CD's ripped onto my hardrive. I run this through an Audio Aero Prima DAC (which serves as a DAC and my preamp -- a nice tube preamp at that). and I am in heaven. This has totally revolutionized the way I listen to music as I now have my entire CD collection at my fingetipps--a scroll and click away. My CD's are in the attic! Best sound and access I have had in a long time and I am listening to music in my collection I haven't listened to in years.
drubin
3,240 posts
 
>best sound

So you feel you haven't given up anything sonically with this setup?
pardales
652 posts
 
Not at all. I'm not saying it is the best sound there could ever be or anything like that. But in my most recent CDP history this set up bested my old Sony XA777ES and my old McItnosh MCD 205 changer. But the musicality is only part of the equation here. Because of how iTunes allows me virtually instantaneous access to my whole collection of music (plus), it has forced me to call many of my priorities into question. I do still value a high end presentation of the music I love, and I did audition some very good DAC's before I settled on the Prima MK II SE. But, the accessibility is really a revolution.
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