02-28-10: Buconero117, I actually own a BDP-83SE. It's an awesome bluray player, although for my main dig front end i'm looking for a different sound. |
02-28-10: Tbg, I strongly disagree with your statement "these questions never reach any consensus and cannot be used by anybody"...Well I greatly appreciate the time taken by fellow AG'ers and will use the feedback from members to help me take a decision about my next digital front end.
"All that they turn out to be is the "mine is bigger than your" male contests." - Blame individual members Tbg, don't throw mud at the whole AG community! |
The AMR-CD77 looks extremely well engineered, but it's reliance on out of production old stock parts & especially it's lack of a digital output is an issue as I have a Vimak DS-1800 mk2 dac which is one of the best Delta Sigma dacs ever made. The worst part is (and something doubtless AMR didn't think of) is the lack of a digital output means you can't even plug in your existing dac to compare. They're essentially asking you to believe their statement no other dac can sound better than the one in their player..
It is very heavy as well, which could be an issue on the shelve the AMR would have to occupy on my rack (the top shelf) because of it's top loading drawer.
With the above said, i'd be interested to see how many votes the AMR gets... |
02-28-10: Schipo, I am sorry Schipo you are annoyed I exercised my free right to open a genuine thread asking for advice on best options for a digital front end in my price range. I find your comment that I am somehow "curious and fishing for an answer" antagonizing to be frank. I think you're the one fishing for a response, but I refuse to bite.. |
03-02-10: Audiofun, thanks for your advice. I agree it would take a supreme dac to improve on AMR's multibit dac. Multibit theory pre-dates Delta Sigma theory which was embodied (to the endth degree) in the Vimak DS-1800mk2 dac. The Vimak is phenominal, so I was pleased to hear AMR offer the option of a high grade digital out. I actually spoke to Vince at AMR about it & he said the RCA SPIDF output they have adopted is exceptionally good to the extent it would be hard to distinguish between the cd77 as an integrated player or transport (assuming all things are equal).
Following on from your comments, I agree to do justice to a player like the AMR, it's time I retired my Standesign rack & invested in a reference rack...food for thought!
Of the players mentioned, the PD MPS5, Ayon CD5, Audio Note & Accuphase players I felt best match what i'm after, but again I have to agree with Audiofun...the AMR is in another league. |
03-05-10: Audiofun. I agree with your sentiment. The option of a high grade digital out with the CD77 is good for those of us who own a classic reference dac they are (understandably) reluctant to part with! With that said, a-b testing the AMR's dac vs the Vimak should be VERY interesting! (note: both are 16 bit/48kHz & use two c-core transformers).
The provision for both SPDIF & USB inputs, albeit at the dac's max sampling rate of 48kHz, are welcome. And according to AMR, they are currently working on adding "Made for Ipod/Made for Iphone" certification, so in the not too distant future it looks like the cd77 will be an even more versatile integrated player!
ps; I agree there are some good value reference racks out there...but said rack *will* cost me as much as that used auto!!! |
Hi Audiofun, your comments made me think about where I can spend "wise money" with my own rack/isolation solutions. I've come to the conclusion (in my situation anyway) that a custom-made maple entertainment cabinet is the best way to go as I need a low profile cabinet with two dvd drawers as well. I can get a good local furniture maker to make one in solid hard maple with 1 1/2" shelves (as per Steve's rack) for a few hundred dollars more than his super-wide rack & save the money for a new tube integrated amp, an AMR CD77 & some good value Neuance iso shelves. That is my recipe for audio heaven :) |
Hi Karelfd, thanks. I agree that the SRA Ohio Class XL platforms are the holy grail of iso platforms, but I can save $2.5k by buying Neuance shelves instead of SRA. Neuance shelves offer phenominal cost/perfmance & do everything right, besides I have other tweaky things I want to buy at the head of the queue from the good people at Acoustic Revive & Walker Audio! |
..that said Karelfd, never say never! ;) |
Hi Tgb, I agree. All the f/back I have read is basically audiophiles gob-smacked with the performance...especially at that price. I wasn't aware they had closed their doors. I've sent them an email asking Neuance to clarify their trading status...will update if I hear anything! |
03-08-10: Audiofun, as I essentially needed an entertainment cabinet for my lcd tv, dvds & a/v gear, that was the obvious way to go & I can specify the type/grade of maple as well within my budget. I also concluded a solid cabinet was the best choice for the 'aborbing' type iso feet & iso platforms i'll be using. |
