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I want a change, but what?

I am using a Proceed CDD transport and a Audio Note One.1x dac. The digital cable is a Zu model I paid $70.00 new. I find the combination a little too laid back. I want more impact and detail. I was thinking of the new single box Audio Aero Prima 24/192. I don't need a voume control on the cd player, but I would like RCA and balanced outputs. I would like to spend under $1500.00 and used is preferred. I realize the new Prima 24/192 is more money and new. My system includes a Karan KAi180 integrated amp and Merlin VSM -M with a balanced bam. I have read the reviews about the Cairn Fog V2.0 with upsampler and the Arcam units that are in my price range. Arcam does not have balanced outs. Any info would be great.
stereo
stereo OP
147 posts
 
I have my CDD on Sorbathane? feet, but the dac is on what it came with stock. The whole system is on a target rack. I am thinking like Tobias that a longer or differant cable may help, but may not and I might still be wanting for more. This brings me back to the beginning. Maybe I should sell the DAC and CDD and by a good quality used redbook player. The Merlins have only been in my system for 1 week. I will need to change my system listed here.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Tobias wrote: "Have you tested a good many stock transports to find that they all have the slow rise time "bug", or is there a "good" group? If so, is Stereo's Proceed in it? How about my own TEAC VRDS T1?"

Yes, I have modded a few different transports for customers, including:
Pioneer DV47A
Pioneer DV-09
Pioneer PD-65
Sony DVP-S7700
Sony DVP-S7000
Sony DVP-S9000es
Toshiba 3960
Toshiba SD6915
Electrocompaniet ECD-1
Philips 963SA

Have not modded a Proceed or the Teac, but all of them have similar problems that need fixing. There is no "good group" stock. The ones that turn out the best are the Pioneer DV47A or Ai and the Sony DVP-S7700. These can become truly world-class transports. The reason is the mechanisms and the lasers in them.

steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Stereo - 0.5m is a no-no. I cannot even use this length on my modded transports. Only the fastest risetime S/PDIF can use a 0.5m. Not surprised that it sounds worse.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I have finally made up two Apogee Wyde Eye digital cables, identical except for length. They are breaking in right now, but my initial impression is that Steve Nugent is right, and there is an improvement with a 1.5 meter cable over one meter of the same thing.

I'll post with details in a separate thread once I get through testing. I'll title the thread "One meter digital vs. 1.5m--is Steve Nugent right?"

This looks very interesting. It's always fun when something counterintuitive turns out to be fact.
stereo OP
147 posts
 
I sold my Proceed CDD and my Audio Note DAC1.1x. I purchased a CD-PRO2M transport kit (diy sites) and just finished building it. This transport is easily as good as the Proceed CDD using the DAC1.1x and the same Zu Firemine digital cable. I am now searching for a new dac. The Stello 220 looks interesting, but I may do more research and build my own 0x oversampling dac.
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