2. digital
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CD player how much to invest

I sometimes wonder should I invest more in digital playback in the future. My current CD transport is a CEC TL51x with a Wadia 12 DAC.
From shows and visits to friends I have learned that there are better CD players out there then my combo, but at what price. The AMR CD-777, is a little better but at €4000 twice the cost. The AMR CD-77 and Nagra CDP are even better still but they cost 10 times or more then my combo.

But is it worth the investment even if I had the money. I believe that with say €2000 you can buy a good CD player That is maybe 90% of a €10.000 CD player.

However I do think that speakers and turntables have a higher return on investment sonic wise. A friend of mine will bring his Jadi Symphonia with Electraglide powercord + Harmonic Tech Magic Link I interlink. To compare. I somehow doubt it will be much better, it may be different but better I don't know.

I am wrong to think that? Are more expesive CD player really a lot better then mid priced and if so how come?

Sorry for my rant, but when I was thinking about upgrading my set and maybe buy an other CD player would it be worth the money? Will I hear a difference etc.
mordante
bigkidz
1,784 posts
 
I would look to modify the CEC and the dac. Upgrade the clock and power supply in the CEC and add transformers to the DAC. You do not have to spend much to do this and the results can be much better ten any other mass producted unit you can buy for more money.

Happy Listening.
fafafion
190 posts
 
I would second What Bigkidz suggest,IF>>>and only IF you could find someone who knows what he is doing.

If you could,certainly this would be the most cost effective route..

I know a few in our part of the world{Asia},Octave audio in malaysia being one of the most renowned...
mordante OP
511 posts
 
So lets for arguments sake say I have my transport and DAC modded.

I did some browsing and it seems there are 3 major players for clock upgrades.
Trichord, Tentlabs and Audiocom So who is the best? Or are they all good?

As for the DAC Bigkidz suggested I have the power supply improved if I understand correctly. Any more suggestions for the DAC?

What else?
jburidan
672 posts
 
Look for a used Cary 303/300. Should be able to find one for less than $2,000 USD.
mordante OP
511 posts
 
Thank you for all the replies. Out of curiousity, what does affect the sound more, the DAC or transport? I thought about replacing the DAC for a Audio Note 2.1 or something like that.
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