so confused with what to buy ...

[mike c]

initially I wanted a dedicated CD player for the few times I listen to music in my bedroom. but then a dedicated rotel RCD costs the same as at least 3 Pioneer DV696 DVD players ...

so I'm thinking, wow, it's kinda like having a triple disc changer!

then I think, if I don't buy the dedicated player now, I'll always think that the dedicated player has better SQ.

but then, if I buy the player, I'd need a new preamp (my crappy rx-v640 just won't do) but a rotel preamp costs the same as a yammy 659! of course, you are in separates, a behringer a500 is just too ugly! so I should buy a rotel amp ... but the parasound amps just look a lot better!

then to make things worse, my dealer is finalizing his SVS orders and is asking if I want the SB12 plus! but if I buy a new sub, I'll still want to get rid of the yammy 640 (with it's fixed 90hz crossover)

I also learn that my other dealer has ex-stock of the DD12 and DD15. my DD18 is lonely and calling out for a mate!

so there.

 

[MDS]

I know you already know the answer but I'll say it anyway. Buy a decent DVD player and use the digital out to the receiver. The sound quality will be dependent on the mastering of the disc and not so much on the DACs of the receiver.

 

[mike c]

I know you already know the answer but I'll say it anyway. Buy a decent DVD player and use the digital out to the receiver. The sound quality will be dependent on the mastering of the disc and not so much on the DACs of the receiver.

if I use the digital ins on a receiver, wouldnt the SQ be dependent on the receiver's DACs instead of the player's DACs?

 

[MDS]

Sure, but there is a high probability that the receiver uses the same (or at least comparable) DACs.

 

[Seth=L]

What is the budget anyway?

 

[emorphien]

Marantz CD5001 is one of the best players I can suggest for someone on a budget. I'd take it over the NAD C521 but not the C542 (which I have).


Of course none of what I just said really matters if you are using a digital connection because even a cheap player will have pretty much the same performance as a silly expensive one if you're using the DACs in your receiver/preamp.

 

[mike c]

Marantz CD5001 is one of the best players I can suggest for someone on a budget. I'd take it over the NAD C521 but not the C542 (which I have).


Of course none of what I just said really matters if you are using a digital connection because even a cheap player will have pretty much the same performance as a silly expensive one if you're using the DACs in your receiver/preamp.

thanks for the suggestion ... so you think a dedicated CDP with analog connections will sound better than a commercial DVD player using digital outs to a receiver's DACs?

Seth,

no budget - no money

 

[emorphien]

thanks for the suggestion ... so you think a dedicated CDP with analog connections will sound better than a commercial DVD player using digital outs to a receiver's DACs?

Seth,

no budget - no money

No, not really. If you receiver has good DACs I'd say that most DVD players should sound just fine. From what I understand there can be differences in tracking, jitter or other errors but I haven't read up on it and the DVD or CD players I've heard hooked up through a digital connection to a receiver or preamp with good DACs can usually sound every bit as good.

 

[Seth=L]

Seth,

no budget - no money

So you are window shopping?

 

[mike c]

So you are window shopping?

umm yeah. but who knows, maybe in my next impulse buying spree, it'd be the next thing on my mind. (kinda like the SMS-1 - I didn't even discuss it with myself)

 

[jaxvon]

I'd go for a reasonably priced player that does all the stuff you want that looks nice. One that does SACD, DVD-A, and DTS would be a good choice, as there are some good sounding releases that only come in such formats, even though you wouldn't be using the multi-channel feature. I think buying used on Audiogon would be a great idea. Used electronics from sellers there are often reasonably priced. As for power and preamp, I would suggest that you look at a nice integrated. AV123 makes some very attractive models, but again, you can find nice used stuff on Audiogon. For instance, a McIntosh integrated will look awesome, and because it's a McIntosh, it won't break, even if it's already 20 years old.

I just surfed Audiogon and came up with some possible prospects:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1180108232
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1179790694
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1179372049
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1178992939

 

[mike c]

electronics from there is a no no for me. 110v and all.
online purchases is really hard for me as well.


I did order some HDMI cables from blue jeans but still crossing my fingers if it will arrive intact and without hitch. tracking the package says it is already in the Philippines, but here's where the problems start.

 

[jaxvon]

electronics from there is a no no for me. 110v and all.
online purchases is really hard for me as well.


I did order some HDMI cables from blue jeans but still crossing my fingers if it will arrive intact and without hitch. tracking the package says it is already in the Philippines, but here's where the problems start.

Well, you could always buy a fancy balanced power conditioner from Equitech. They made models that will take any input voltage and frequency you specify (ie whatever you have in the Philippines) and output 120v so you can use US electronics.

http://equitech.com/