Please, some help !
I own a 15 years old DAC from Kinergetics Research, the KCD 55 ULTRA,with a KCD 55T Transport. I have Rowland amplifiers and Audio Physics Century speakers. Given its age and the computer-like technology of DACs I believe this is the weaker link in my system. This DAC was highly rated by some reviewers at its time, it is really fully balanced with two dual Ultra Analog D20400 chips. Its price was $4000. I am looking for something very musical more than a DAC with the usual audiophile list (image, details,...)and up to $4000 price.
Questions:
1.- Is there a really big difference between an old good DAC and a new one at this price tag ?2.- Isn't that hard, edgy sound a problem more related with the recordings than with the hardware ? I listens to classical music and there is not enough full orchestral-symphonic audiophile recordings out there, just the usual DECCAs, Philips, EMI.... In my opinion some, but very few, are very good recordings.
3.- What do you guys think about Audio Note, Benchmark Media System DAC1, Musical Fidelity or Muse Electronics ?
I appreciate any comment, Thanks.
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Topic - Old DACs vs. new ones? - J Corner 03:54:56 05/04/05 (38)
- Re: Old DACs vs. new ones? - tiberian 19:31:04 05/04/05 (0)
- The latest batch are dramatically better in my experience - John C. - Aussie 18:23:04 05/04/05 (12)
- DAC1 mods - Jon L 21:27:32 05/04/05 (10)
- Re: DAC1 mods - Todd Krieger 12:59:57 05/05/05 (6)
- Then it would cease to be a Benchmark DAC1 but...... - rfbrw 12:13:39 05/08/05 (4)
- I doubt he'd wanna double filter - Monkey Bones 12:53:32 05/08/05 (3)
- Re: I doubt he'd wanna double filter - rfbrw 02:24:09 05/09/05 (2)
- round and round - Monkey Bones 09:10:59 05/09/05 (1)
- Re: Context,context,context. - rfbrw 19:23:53 05/09/05 (0)
- Why don't you do it? - Jon L 14:33:35 05/05/05 (0)
- Yes, a turbomod & op amp changes to a DAC1 - John C. - Aussie 22:24:46 05/04/05 (2)
- humm . . . - Bruce from DC 12:36:21 05/05/05 (1)
- Re: humm . . . - Terry Demol 06:52:48 05/08/05 (0)
- For those kinds of bucks, I certainly hope so. (nt) - Travis 18:33:11 05/04/05 (0)
- Re: Old DACs vs. new ones? - NickWay 09:49:14 05/04/05 (0)
- Re: Old DACs vs. new ones? - elektron 08:54:54 05/04/05 (0)
- I've been very happy with AudioNote DACs - GliderGuider 05:08:19 05/04/05 (0)
- forget bencmark dac1 - juanitox 04:14:29 05/04/05 (20)
- Want to warm-up a too clinical Bencmark dac1? - beppe61 01:01:38 05/05/05 (6)
- Re: Want to warm-up a too clinical Bencmark dac1? - Lynn 06:55:30 05/05/05 (5)
- Re: Want to warm-up a too clinical Bencmark dac1? - beppe61 02:02:51 05/06/05 (2)
- Interesting... - Lynn 21:01:24 05/06/05 (1)
- Re: Interesting... - beppe61 04:33:47 05/07/05 (0)
- Re: Want to warm-up a too clinical Bencmark dac1? - Kenn 17:29:45 05/05/05 (1)
- Re: Want to warm-up a too clinical Bencmark dac1? - beppe61 02:12:33 05/06/05 (0)
- disagree. nt. - Lynn 21:05:13 05/04/05 (0)
- Also disagree - why be so dismissive? - John C. - Aussie 19:06:08 05/04/05 (0)
- Forget it, indeed. - Travis 18:30:00 05/04/05 (0)
- Re: forget bencmark dac1 - BTan 16:38:54 05/04/05 (0)
- Disagree #3 – - saltyflies 14:21:07 05/04/05 (3)
- no misunderstanding... - juanitox 16:47:53 05/04/05 (2)
- agreed, no one size fits all - saltyflies 17:27:23 05/04/05 (1)
- Yeah, and it's $8,000 - BadgerDMS 11:38:42 05/05/05 (0)
- Disagree2 - Mr Underhill 13:28:29 05/04/05 (0)
- Re: forget bencmark dac1 - philou 10:05:44 05/04/05 (0)
- Agree - kjg 08:32:06 05/04/05 (0)
- Disagree - Ned 05:47:33 05/04/05 (1)
- Re: Disagree - juanitox 09:42:43 05/04/05 (0)