Digital Drive

Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

Return to Digital Drive

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Which digital source would you choose?

76.64.238.5
Posted on February 20, 2017 at 16:13:43
samurai7595
Audiophile

Posts: 348
Location: Canada
Joined: November 1, 2007
 I own a McIntosh MAC6700 integrated amp along with a Rega RP10 turntable, Aurender N100H streamer and Cambridge Audio CXC CD transport.

I listen to vinyl & streaming (50% - 50%) and my wife listens to CDs (100%).

If you had the opportunity to go through one of these digital source upgrades, which would you choose?

Both upgrades are for the same amount of money, using various older gear has trade-in value. Please note that I'm not interested in upgrading my integrated amp nor my turntable nor my cables since I'm satisfied with those.


Option #1
Upgrade the Aurender N100H to an Aurender A10

Option #2
Upgrade the Cambridge Audio CXC CD transport to a Simaudio Moon Neo 260D CD player

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
SimAudio Moon, posted on February 20, 2017 at 16:54:16
bigshow
Audiophile

Posts: 472
Location: WI
Joined: December 3, 2012
 I love my SimAudio Moon Dac and have been thinking about the 260 also. What Dac do you use with the Aurender? For sure the Dac in the Moon would be better than the internal Dac of any of the Aurenders. IMHO.
bigshow

 

RE: SimAudio Moon, posted on February 20, 2017 at 17:46:26
samurai7595
Audiophile

Posts: 348
Location: Canada
Joined: November 1, 2007
 I'm using the DAC inside my McIntosh integrated which is excellent.

 

A10, posted on February 20, 2017 at 18:03:31
bigshow
Audiophile

Posts: 472
Location: WI
Joined: December 3, 2012
 I believe that the benefit of the Aurender A10 is the internal Dac. If you are going to use the McIntosh Dac anyway, going to the A10 doesn't gain you much. Are you looking for more internal storage?

On the other hand, if you are going to use the Dac in the McIntosh, then the SimAudio Moon as a transport may be better money spent. Then if you ever upgrade your integrated amp you wouldn't need to have a built-in Dac. Which would also be true of the A10.

Maybe spend the money on upgrading digital cables. The AudioQuest Diamond was huge for me.
bigshow

 

Please see my review of the Simaudio Neo 260D, posted on February 21, 2017 at 09:00:55
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7338
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000
 I have no experience with the other gear you listed, so I am not at liberty to comment.

Here on AA, go to the reviews section, and find mine on the Simaudio 260D, which I still have in my possession.

More recently, I have been living with and reviewing Simaudio's 750D, Mind 180, and 820S [as well as myriad cables, all Cooked, used in conjunction with these digital sources]. Thus, I can answer your questions about the Neo 260D, not just by itself, but in comparison to Simaudio's other digital products.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

 

RE: AudioQuest Diamond SPDIF Cable, posted on February 21, 2017 at 11:18:55
samurai7595
Audiophile

Posts: 348
Location: Canada
Joined: November 1, 2007
 I'm not a big believer of the AudioQuest DIELECTRIC-BIAS SYSTEM (DBS).

 

RE: AudioQuest Diamond SPDIF Cable, posted on February 21, 2017 at 14:41:03
bigshow
Audiophile

Posts: 472
Location: WI
Joined: December 3, 2012
 I am a believer just because I have heard the difference in my own system. There are many fine cables out there if you don't like AQ. I don't know what you use now. With the choices that you put out there, a cable upgrade could possibly make the greater difference. Hopefully your local dealer of fine audio products will let you home audition.
bigshow

 

RE: Cables, posted on February 21, 2017 at 15:58:07
samurai7595
Audiophile

Posts: 348
Location: Canada
Joined: November 1, 2007
 All my cabling (speaker, analog & digital interconnects and power) are from Crystal Cable. I did audition lots of cables before buying the ones I'm using now. For this reason, I'm not interested in any cable upgrades.

 

oon Andromeda and Eclipse, posted on April 8, 2017 at 16:26:05
billeames
Audiophile

Posts: 208
Location: Seattle Area
Joined: October 31, 2002
 Hello, Sorry this post is way late, but I feel a need to comment.

I have both Simaudio Eclipse and Andromeda. Warranty 3 years transport, and 10 years electronics. The Eclipse (2002) still sounds very good, and service is good. I had transport replaced in 2015, about $1000. The andromeda (bought 1/2008)was serviced under warranty a few times with great service from Simaudio (power supply issue, and transport issue. In 2002 I tried the Eclipse and it was better suited to my system than quite a few players (Esoteric DV50, Sony SCD1, Gamut, Carey.

To get a better CD player/DAC perhaps a DCS Vivaldi at a lofty $35000 (3 year warranty), but it requires a clock input to the transport, oops, oops $42000 for Vivaldi, or another DCS player. Perhaps a Simaudio Moon 780D (I think its $15000) using one of my CD players as he transport. Thanks.

Bill

 

RE: oon Andromeda and Eclipse, posted on April 9, 2017 at 16:42:40
bigshow
Audiophile

Posts: 472
Location: WI
Joined: December 3, 2012
 The SimAudio 780 DAC is the best digital that I have personally heard. I heard it in a system with Vandersteen 7's, Audio Research amps, and Moon transport Also using an Aurender for files . If you end up with a 780 Dac I will be seriously jealous. But I hope you do and let me know how great it is. Btw Moon has a great built in USB converter.
bigshow

 

RE: Which digital source would you choose?, posted on April 26, 2017 at 17:25:26
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 anyone demo any of the Hegel cd spinners?

 

simaudio, posted on April 27, 2017 at 07:36:45
Industrial
Audiophile

Posts: 46
Joined: March 20, 2010
 What I like about Simaudio dacs is even the more "affordable" ones sound great.

 

RE: simaudio, posted on April 28, 2017 at 11:05:28
samac
Audiophile

Posts: 780
Location: midwest
Joined: August 28, 2004
 +1

Yep, couldn't agree more, Simaudio DACs are some the best out there.

Cheers,

Scott

 

Page processed in 0.025 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]