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  3. 998830320

New All in One or Just a DAC?

Well, I finally am getting somewhere on the "secondary" sytem. The Moscode 300 rebuilt by Steve Sank (http://stephensank.com) is absolutely incredible. (No malarkey - I'd put it up against ANYTHING!). The Audio Synthesis Passion V passive pre is even better than I hoped. My trusty Silverline SR-17s continue to delight. Now the problem: the cd source is a Marantz CD-67se. Not terrible, but no longer suffficient on it's own. I think I have a few choices: use the digital outs on the Marantz to a DAC with decent anti-jitter capabilities; lose the Marantz and replace with an all-in-one player device (ie YBA Complete?); or go the Stan Warren mod Aiwa/ similarly TBD modded DAC route. Cost is a factor - we want to keep it at $1000 or less, done deal. I do think 24/196 upsampling is probably a good idea, and reliability/build is important to me (I like tanks - I drive a tank, I live in a tank, my wife is a .....oops - ain't going there!). So speak to me, ye gods of audio wisdom - what do ye recommend? I currently lean towards finding a CAL Ikon MkII and looking for a MSB 1,2, or 3 for Dan Wright to make right for me, but I can be trained.

chas
costrosk
abecollins
219 posts
 
The CAL Icon MKII is a very decent player / transport but I prefer the Denon DCD-1650AR. I've had both of these in my system running as stand-alone CD players and later with the MSB Gold Link III DAC. The Denon is a current Stereophile Class-B player using 4 20-bit DACs and weighs a hefty 35 Lbs. The Icon MKII is an older design that came out in the early 90's while the Denon became available around '98 '99.

The Denon DCD-1650AR sounded more natural in my system vs the Icon MKII when used stand-alone. I just sold the Denon a couple weeks ago for $525 for a quick sale and it was in perfect condition. The Icon MKII can be found for less than $425 in perfect condition. I wouldn't pay much more for this older player. If wear and tear are a concern, I would get one that isn't too old.

This still leaves some budget left for a DAC and you can start with a basic new MSB Link DAC III or maybe a used one with Full-Nelson upgrade. This will come in at just about $1000.

http://mycollins.net/audio/dcdfr.jpg
http://mycollins.net/audio/dcdrack.jpg
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Stan Warren can modify the MSB also. You could get Stan to modify a Pioneeer or Onkyo DVD Player. I have a Stan DVD in my secondary system, which also lets me watch 2 channel DVD movies when the family room is busy.
sean
6,229 posts
 
Sugar, not to change the subject but what DVD did you have Stan modify for you ? I am looking to do something very similar.

In terms of a secondary system, i would stick to the best "one box" that you can get or have modified. You might want to wait it out a bit and see what Sony does with the SACD / DVD players, as you might be able to pick one of these up for "peanuts" and then have IT modified for well under your price limit. I am already on the "waiting list" for one of these with a well known modifier. Sean
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