In Reply to: Best processors -but best tech ? posted by J. Phelan on February 21, 2017 at 11:04:08:
"Now, I'm aware that we don't *need* these for good sound. But for Robb Report prices, I would expect to get 'real' tech as much as possible (decoding without heavy processing)."
I think expensive processors with cheap chips stemmed from the belief, from the designer perspective, that precise discrete D/A circuits don't offer sonic value added relative to inexpensive off-the-shelf chips. I've heard good and bad examples of both..... But I personally like the "cheap", dated (late 1980s technology!) DAC inside the Philips CDC-935 CD changer as much as any from-the-ground-up designed DAC inside products that cost five figures. Save for the Wadia 9. (As long as the analog circuitry around that cheap DAC is upgraded to bring out its sonic capabilities. Don Allen's [RIP] mods achieved that to the highest degree.) I mean, a sound that makes me content giving my vinyl rigs a rest. And totally disinterested in any server-based or high-resolution digital audio playback.
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Follow Ups
- RE: Best processors -but best tech ? - Todd Krieger 17:00:56 02/22/17 (0)