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In Reply to: RE: Get a better CD transport posted by BRab on October 06, 2016 at 09:25:06
The Oppo 83 does a very good job as a transport, if you read the other posts, he would like to get the sound of a high end tube system. He is using a HT receiver as a preamp.
I would put the dedicated transport about fourth on the list. To accomplish what he would like to do, he needs a tube preamp, and a good dac. If he is still not happy with the sound, then he might want to replace the Krell amp and/or move up the line of his speakers.
Only when he is pretty close than a transport would make sense. PS Audio is replacing their highly respected PWT with a new universal transport. There will be good deals to be had on closeout or used PWTs, that is the transport I would recommend,and buy. Preferably the new universal one, but otherwise the PWT.
I took a look at your system, I think your dac is why you find CDs to sound better than CD rips. I was skeptical of CD rips initially, but using JRiver as a player, an AQ Jitterbug with an AQ Carbon USB cable, I now understand why even my local dealer prefers a ripped CD using a $13k Audio Research CD player/Dac.
Your Audiolab has restricted it's USB input to 24/96, a pretty good indicator that they didn't go all out in their utilization of their USB input. See the review I linked to. I don't think the OP has much interest in PC audio, but then I didn't either 2 years ago, and now I find it quite enjoyable.
I am curious, how do you use your turntable with no preamp? Does the EAR phono preamp have a volume control?
Follow Ups:
Good points. I haven't really worried about the Audiolab's USB implementation since I seem to like CD storage and playback vs files independent of SQ considerations.
The EAR is controlled by a TKD attenuator I put in a box. It then goes into an XLR switchbox. The Audiolab mdac has its own excellent digital attenuation.
I looked at your system and noticed you have a DAC2 which coincidentally I'm interested in for its analog input and volume control which would simplify my system. How do you like the Benchmark?
Thanks for your interest.
A few years ago I had no interest in PC audio, but my previous dac had limited inputs and then the coax went out. I still need to send it in. I was satisfied with the SQ, but needed more inputs. I was leaning towards the Mytek when a local dealer listed the Benchmark. Anyway I had a preamp I was trying to sell and although a nice preamp, it was an unknown brand, in a price range with lots of options. Well they took it on trade, that is how I ended up with Dac2. I did do some research, read some reviews.
I like it, balances well with my tube preamp. I have never used it as a standalone preamp, but I did use it with my adc and it was transparent as far as I could tell. From what I have read the volume control is well designed. I like tube preamps, so if you asked me for advice I would say go that way. When I bought the used CJ CT5, my system improved so much. It is not like older tubed preamps, in that it is not overly warm, it is very neutral sounding.
Seeing as you are only using one input on your dac, maybe adding a preamp would be a good way to go.
At the same time, I think you would be happy with the Benchmark, and it would be an upward move, in my opinion. Always remember we all have our own tastes, and ideas of audio bliss.
nt
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