Looking for system help - new receiver or CD player?

[Unregistered]

Hi, this is what I'm currently running:

Source: Panasonic FP65 DVD changer
Amp: NAD 302 integrated
Speakers: Paradigm Studio Reference 20v3

I'm torn right now between where to go next with my system. On one hand, I was thinking about getting a new CD player in the $500 CDN range, like the NAD C521BEE since I figure the DVD player is the weak link in my chain right now.

On the other hand, I thought maybe investing in an AV receiver like the NAD T743 or Cambridge Audio Azur 540R and connecting digitally from the DVD player and using the receiver's DAC might net me just as good results, while giving me a better amp with home theatre functionality, though I'm not equipped space- or money-wise to go beyond a 2-channel system right now, nor do I expect to be for a few years. This way, the $500 or so I would have spent on a CD player can go towards getting a decent receiver, which I'd be buying eventually anyway.

So my questions are:
1) will the receiver DACs give me just as good sound as the DACs on a good, dedicated single-disc CD player?
2) Will my receiver be technologically obsolete by the time I'm ready to actually make use of the home theatre-ness of it?
3) What would you recommend I do?

Thanks

 

[neznarf]

Do you mostly watch movies or listen to music?
Or do you prefer music DVD's?

 

[av_phile]

So my questions are:
1) will the receiver DACs give me just as good sound as the DACs on a good, dedicated single-disc CD player?
2) Will my receiver be technologically obsolete by the time I'm ready to actually make use of the home theatre-ness of it?
3) What would you recommend I do?

Thanks

1) Do some research on the net on the DAC chips used in receivers and players. There are good and bad DACs in either gear. Offhand I should say that the DAC on the NAD CD player C542 or a Rotel RCD1072, being HDCD capable, is an excellent one. If you had to invest on a CD-only player, get one with HDCD abilites. They have a digital filtering circuit that is superior to other non-HDCD players in the same price point and can benefit even regular CDs in terms of sonic quality. To check on this, find out more about HDCD (High Density CD) from a google search.

Having said that, it's also possible to get superior DAC performance with upsampling abilities from many mid-to-flagship receivers. You may not find one from entry level HT receivers though. A NAD, Harman Kardon or Rotel mid-priced receivers come to mind. You can then use entry level CD players from Pioneer and Yamaha or from any excellent brand that are known to exhibit respectable and stable transport qualities.

And since, as you said, you are not yet ready for a full pledged HT surround system, I'd rather use my funds to get the most out of a 2-channel system that you have. A good CD player is one road to go. It's also an option to invest in a good SACD or DVD-Audio player for you to enjoy the benefits of the new hi-resolution digital formats, even in stereo mode this early.

2) Entry level receivers with 5.1 or 6.1 identical amps may not be entirely future-proof, considering that most mid-to-flagship recievers out there are at least 7.1 channels. It is the digital processing and the video/audio input and output flexibilities that are subject to obsolescence in receivers. New video input features like progressive component inputs and digital DVI terminals and some with Firewire and i-link terminals should make a receiver a bit future-proof. Audio formats such as DPLIIx and DTS96/24, Neo, DD-EX, and DTS-ES should be around for the next 5 years or so. The promised SDDS from sony/columbia hasn't arrived yet in receivers so nothing to worry about that.

And this obsolescence factor is what's driving me and many audiophiles to go in the separates preamp and power amp route. There's always a chance that you have to get rid of the entire reciever if you begin to outgrow its digital processing and input flexibilities. Not so with power amplifiers. Power amplication has probably reached its technical perfection a good 20 years ago and will do its job 20 more years from now. How often do we encounter old Carver. McIntosh and Hafler amps of the 70s still going strong and will most likely be used for the next generation?

Modern HT preamps, OTH, with their digital processing features do get obsolete and can be upgraded separately.

If you can get the funds, you may want to upgrade your power amp separately. Your NAD integrated probably has pre-outs you can use for this purpose. Start with a good stereo power amp conservatively rated at least TWICE that of your NAD. But going for a lesser powered amp with better musical abilities is also an option. I 'd think of a Musical Fidelity, Rotel, Acurus, Aragon, Parasound, Adcom, to mention some.

There are excellent multi-channel power amps out there to start you off on your HT journey. Offhand I could think of the Rotel RMB-1066 which is a 6-channel power amp that can be bridged to deliver a more powerful 3-channel amp which you can use now for 2 channels only, unbridge it later for HT. There's also the Acurus and Aragon 5-channel power amps from which you can just use 2 channels in the meantime.

Then, the last part of your journey would be to get an HT preamp/processor either form Rotel, Krell, Aragon or Sunfire to mention some. Then get the complementary set of speakers to augment your paradigm pair for a complete 5.1 or 7.1 set-up. Don't forget a powered sub should you decide to need one.

Ofcourse, the idea of an all-in-one box such as an HT receiver can be compelling. After getting your CD-only player, I would suggest getting a NAD, Rotel, Harman Kardon or Arcam HT receivers. Likewise the Denons, Onkyos and Yamahas are excellent specimens if only for their digital processing excellence. Just my thoughts.

 

[Unregistered]

A Arcam cd player or a dvd/cd combo the only company that does it correct is arcam , the arcam avr 300 is the best reciever period and if the mass market sounds good to you you dont know what you are missing the nad,yamaha,denon,cambridge etc dont compete .Don't waste money on Mass Market stuff arcam makes stereo units too but the arcam is your best bet the golden rule for product is the source is most important ,cd player ,dvd etc ,The next is the amp/reciever then speakers ,tell you what read www.audioperfectioness.com or talk to the people at advanced audio there web site and # are on te site it is advancedaudiosys.com ,learn the truth

1) Do some research on the net on the DAC chips used in receivers and players. There are good and bad DACs in either gear. Offhand I should say that the DAC on the NAD CD player C542 or a Rotel RCD1072, being HDCD capable, is an excellent one. If you had to invest on a CD-only player, get one with HDCD abilites. They have a digital filtering circuit that is superior to other non-HDCD players in the same price point and can benefit even regular CDs in terms of sonic quality. To check on this, find out more about HDCD (High Density CD) from a google search.

Having said that, it's also possible to get superior DAC performance with upsampling abilities from many mid-to-flagship receivers. You may not find one from entry level HT receivers though. A NAD, Harman Kardon or Rotel mid-priced receivers come to mind. You can then use entry level CD players from Pioneer and Yamaha or from any excellent brand that are known to exhibit respectable and stable transport qualities.

And since, as you said, you are not yet ready for a full pledged HT surround system, I'd rather use my funds to get the most out of a 2-channel system that you have. A good CD player is one road to go. It's also an option to invest in a good SACD or DVD-Audio player for you to enjoy the benefits of the new hi-resolution digital formats, even in stereo mode this early.

2) Entry level receivers with 5.1 or 6.1 identical amps may not be entirely future-proof, considering that most mid-to-flagship recievers out there are at least 7.1 channels. It is the digital processing and the video/audio input and output flexibilities that are subject to obsolescence in receivers. New video input features like progressive component inputs and digital DVI terminals and some with Firewire and i-link terminals should make a receiver a bit future-proof. Audio formats such as DPLIIx and DTS96/24, Neo, DD-EX, and DTS-ES should be around for the next 5 years or so. The promised SDDS from sony/columbia hasn't arrived yet in receivers so nothing to worry about that.

And this obsolescence factor is what's driving me and many audiophiles to go in the separates preamp and power amp route. There's always a chance that you have to get rid of the entire reciever if you begin to outgrow its digital processing and input flexibilities. Not so with power amplifiers. Power amplication has probably reached its technical perfection a good 20 years ago and will do its job 20 more years from now. How often do we encounter old Carver. McIntosh and Hafler amps of the 70s still going strong and will most likely be used for the next generation?

Modern HT preamps, OTH, with their digital processing features do get obsolete and can be upgraded separately.

If you can get the funds, you may want to upgrade your power amp separately. Your NAD integrated probably has pre-outs you can use for this purpose. Start with a good stereo power amp conservatively rated at least TWICE that of your NAD. But going for a lesser powered amp with better musical abilities is also an option. I 'd think of a Musical Fidelity, Rotel, Acurus, Aragon, Parasound, Adcom, to mention some.

There are excellent multi-channel power amps out there to start you off on your HT journey. Offhand I could think of the Rotel RMB-1066 which is a 6-channel power amp that can be bridged to deliver a more powerful 3-channel amp which you can use now for 2 channels only, unbridge it later for HT. There's also the Acurus and Aragon 5-channel power amps from which you can just use 2 channels in the meantime.

Then, the last part of your journey would be to get an HT preamp/processor either form Rotel, Krell, Aragon or Sunfire to mention some. Then get the complementary set of speakers to augment your paradigm pair for a complete 5.1 or 7.1 set-up. Don't forget a powered sub should you decide to need one.

Ofcourse, the idea of an all-in-one box such as an HT receiver can be compelling. After getting your CD-only player, I would suggest getting a NAD, Rotel, Harman Kardon or Arcam HT receivers. Likewise the Denons, Onkyos and Yamahas are excellent specimens if only for their digital processing excellence. Just my thoughts.