Digital vs Analog stereo setup

[hurl0033]

I presently own a NAD C525BEE CD player to which I would like to pair with its own amp but have no clue to we're I should put my money!

I have thought of 2 possible setup!

ANALOG SETUP (at least 5000$)

source: NAD C525BEE CD player
(analog out)
pre/amp: CLASSE CAP-2100 5000$
(analog in, Bi-wired to spk)
spk: most likely B&W (bi-wired)

DIGITAL SETUP

source: NAD C525BEE CD player (at least 3700$)
(SPDIF coax out)
digital clock : Apogee BIG BEN 192k Master Digital Clock 1500$
(SPDIF coax in,SPDIF coax out or AES-EBU out)
pre/amp: TACT M 2150 2200$
(SPDIF coax in or AES-EBU in)
spk: ??? probably B&W again

Initial though ...

I believe the digital setup would prove to be the better choice.
My CD player does not have the greatest DAC, therefore using it as transport through SPDIF coax to a digital amp would leave all the D/A conversion to the DAC in the amp. Add Apogee's BIG BEN digital clock between the source and amp, among all its features(!!check it out!!) it will enable you to convert SPDIF(in) to AES-EBU(out) to the amp.
In the end, you end up with a pretty solid system
for a very affordable price, I think !

Tell me what you guy's think!

tactaudio.com/
apogeedigital.com/products/bigben.php (Check it Out)

 

[Seth=L]

Bi-wiring has no audible advantage, bi-amping can be advantageous if more power is needed or you are using an outboard x-over.

If you go the Digital setup route you can afford to put more cash toward the speakers, which will affect most of your sound. Also you should address room accoustics by treating the room, which also affects the sound significantly.

Again, bi-wiring will only increase your cable costs, it will make no audible difference. Avoid spending tons on fancy cables as well, as any well designed cable will be completely transparent not affecting the sound of your system in any way. You can get speaker cable from a hardware store or radioshack for reasonable prices. If you want quality build cables look at www.bluejeanscables.com

 

[jcPanny]

CD Player

If you decide to use the digital output, don't wast $3700 on the CD player. The digital output of a $50 will work just as well. You should consider one of the Oppo Digital universal players that also do SACD, DVD-A, and DVD playback.

 

[hurl0033]

Thanks for the replies so far from Seth=L & jcPanny!

Sorry for the mistake, my cd player is not worth 3700$
That is the estimated price of the Digital setup. (2200 + 1500)
I am new to this forum thing and would really appreciate instructions on how to edit/correct my post.

Bluejeans cables look great, I will strongly consider them for long balanced interconnects. As for the speaker wires, I am considering getting a pair of
Analysis Plus Oval 12. They have a really interesting PATENT.
You can specify the termination desired as well.

As for Bi-amping possibilities, Tact sells a X-over version of the M 2150 designed for Bi-amping, in either vertical or horizontal.

Speakers, I might be picking up a pair of B&W 685's.
The store that I would be buying from feature a trade up program for speakers, which I think is awesome.

For the trade up program details check out, justhifi.com/tradeup.htm
(sorry, new users can't include web links)

good bye for now .....

 

[Johnd]

B&W offers a great line...I like their sound. If you have a $5k limit, I would consider spending about half of that on speakers...or more. If you get the "right" ones, you'll never have to upgrade them.

 

[OttoMatic]

Hi hurl0033,

First, you can edit your post by selecting the "edit" button near the bottom of your post. I think there might be a timeout such that if time x has expired, you can no longer change your post. It's OK if it's not perfect, though...

So you are considering pairing a ~$600/pr speaker with ~$4-5k of electronics? I think that you've got your money allocation skewed in the wrong direction. I would go with a better speaker because, as Seth=L posted, it will most significantly modify the sound of your system. There's nothing inherently wrong with the B&W 685 (I haven't heard it, but I'm assuming that it's OK), but it's a rather inexpensive model considering the amount of money you are laying down for the entire system.

I would suggest you get a good preamp with a good DAC and the sound that you like. I do believe that there are differences between preamps, but they will be rather subtle. Same with amps.

How about going roughly $3k for speakers, $1k for preamp, $1k for amp, $200 for an Oppo universal player. I will be you good money that you won't be able to hear the difference between the Oppo and the NAD as transports. Don't waste your money.

As for the Analysis Plus Oval 12 and their patent: I don't even need to read their patent to know that it doesn't matter (remember that a patent doesn't mean that it actually does anything, and you can patent all kinds of garbage). I am generally of the belief that wire is wire, as long as there's nothing wrong with it, and as long as it's of sufficient thickness (gauge) for the length and the power delivered through it. I use Home Depot "Carol" brand 12G cable for everything. Unless you are looking for some "cool" factor or some nice look to it, you won't be able to hear the difference between mine and the Analysis. Don't waste your money.

So, to recap and sum up: 1) spend most of your money on speakers; they are what's ultimately making the sound, 2) don't waste money on fancy weird stuff that the salesman is selling you, 3) I really doubt you'll be able to hear a difference between any transport.

Also, room treatments are a great idea (as already posted).

Have you considered used? I have bought a lot of stuff used, and saved a lot (a lot) of money over buying new.

Good luck!

 

[Seth=L]

Those Analysis Plus Oval 12 are a complete waste of money. If you only want them because of how they look, that's one thing, but they will NOT improve your sound. There is definitely no good reason to spend almost as much on cables as your speakers. Any 12 gauge speaker wire will do fine, it won't look as pretty but at least you can afford to get better and perhaps prettier speakers that will really have a profound affect on your SQ.

 

[chadnliz]

Go to Audiogon dot com for the best help in Audio, this is not the best place for this information, there is a wealth of knowledge over there that cant be matched.

 

[mtrycrafts]

. As for the speaker wires, I am considering getting a pair of
Analysis Plus Oval 12. They have a really interesting PATENT.
You can specify the termination desired as well.
.....

Would you still get those cables if they didn't have a patent on them?
Call the company and ask for hard data that their cables somehow audibly different from other 12ga wires
Their answer will be: find a dealer and just listen.

Hardly hard data, under bias controlled conditions to account for human gullibility and biases.
I know, I have called them and they just cannot defend any audibility claims

Do you currently have an audio setup?

 

[hurl0033]

Fisrt off, I would like to thank everyone sharing there thought!

To answer mtrycrafts's question,

Console: Xbox 360 & PS3
Receiver: YAMAHA HTR 5560
Speakers: 6 Polk audio R15, Polk 8" sub, Precision Acoustic for center
Power Conditioner: Monster's HTS 3600 MKII PowerCenter
NAD C525BEE CD player
Samsung 42" DLP

My HTR is the oldest component, purchased at age of 15
The TV, all speakers and the conditioner where bough at discount.

I will be buying myself a pair of B&W this weekend !

With all the discussion about my initial post "digital vs analog amps",
maybe I should be better off to buy an Integra DTC 9.8 SSP.
My local dealer priced it at 2200$.
My current receiver has a 6 channel input that, when placed in that state, will convert the receiver as a 6 channel amp.
As the inegra is only a surrond sound processor, my receiver could act as my amp until I can buy real amps.

I strongly invite anyone to check out this bargain SSP(integra DTC 9.8)
or at least a review.

Tell me what you think !

Until next time, bye

 

[bandphan]

upgrading the speakers might be the best condiseration(as stated) if you have the itch to spend some cash, at least the mains. That imo will give you the most sonic satisfaction.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I say just get the B&W speakers + Yamaha Z11 receiver. The preamp section in this receiver is just as good as any dedicated analog stereo preamp out there. The amp section of this receiver is more than good enough to power any speaker.