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with digital, i guess the questions about high end type players are sort of up in the air with downloading becoming the thing.I have never had a complaint exactly with my theta data II, laserlinque connect, gen V dac and it sounds better connected balanced.
My question is that is this so old that I should get rid of it and get something different, better, while it still have some value left?
Follow Ups:
The proprietary Theta DSP algorithms (software) used in their DSP-based DAC's were all revised in the mid-to-late 1990's to the "a" release level.At the time, I had just bought a DSPro Progeny and received the upgrade free of charge. The upgrade consisted of an E-PROM (Electronically-Programmable Read-Only Memory) chip which was used to replace the old one. The difference was quite noticeable at the time - with improvements in detail-retrieval, timing and at both frequency extremes.
I subsequently upgraded - first to a Prime IIa and then to a GenVa - and have compared the GenVa to the original GenV and found a similar level of improvement as experienced with the Progeny.
I've also been keeping half-an-ear on possible replacements for my Data Basic II (due to the persistent posts on the impending failure of my CDM9-Pro mechanism) and - to be quite honest - have not found a dedicated CD-only transport at a "reasonable price" that comes close - they're also few and far between...
From the DAC perspective, I've grown very fond of the GenVa "sound" - it is very musical and very involving. Most of the newer DAC's I've auditioned have sounded more "HiFi" than "musical" - particularly when auditioned against a vinyl source.
One CD player that combined a reasonable sound and decent CD-only mechanism was the Lyngdorf CD-1:
- which has a useful capability to disable all analogue circuitry when used as a transport only. As a transport, it also offers SPDIF, Toslink or AES/EBU connection to an external DAC - making it ideal for use with a GenVa and as a replacement for the Data Basic II. It also seemed to be well-engineered and reasonably-priced (For details see link below).
Coming back to your question "is this so old that I should get rid of it and get something different, better, while it still have some value left?"...
You have four permutations/options:
1) Keep both CDT/DAC
2) Keep CDT & replace DAC
3) Keep DAC & replace CDT
4) Replace bothIf your transport is the old laserdisk-capable Data II, you're not going to realise too much by selling it (you may want to browse Audiogon/eBay for current pricing). If it's the Data Basic II, you're likely to get less due to the scare re CDM9-Pro mechanism.
The GenV DAC is still in some demand (once again check Audiogon/eBay).
So, as far as the value is concerned, don't expect to recognise megabucks from selling the CDT and/or DAC - in fact, be prepared to have to chip in with a fair amount of cash to find a replacement for both.
Some posts have suggested buying an el cheapo DVD player and using it as a transport - personally, I wouldn't as the time taken at disk-load to identify the media-type is a royal PITA...
What I would suggest?
a) Contact Theta and find out if they still have the "a" upgrade EPROM available and, if yes, do the upgrade!
b) Do nothing with the Theta pair until you've done A:B at home with candidates
c) Decide, via critical listening, what you really like/dislike about your Theta pair
d) Use this as the basis/yardstick when A:B comparing other optionsI hope that helps...
PS: I have a softcopy of the GenV operator's guide if yours has gone astray - if you want a copy, post your e-mail address in a follow-up and I'll send you a copy.
"Don't roll those blood-shot eyes at me!"
thanks for all the advice. As i bought the theta used, i am not sure about the chip. do you know where I can look and see?
The link below is to Theta's website.If you click on their "CONTACT" button, you will be presented with a form-based "Information Request" which is one option.
The other option is to send them an e-mail at:
info@thetadigital.com
When you contact them as them if they still have available the EPROM's for the GenV to uplift it's DSP software to GenVa level and, if they do, what would it cost.
Given you picked up your gear second-hand, do you need an Owner's Manual for the GenV? The softcopy I have is in MS Word format (I retyped the damned thing from a shitty faxed copy and redrew the diagrams in Powerpoint).
I hope that helps...
"Don't roll those blood-shot eyes at me!"
i see that contact, thanks. What I was wondering is how i could tell if it had been upgraded already, but i will see if they can tell me that. I have an old manual for the dac but i am not sure it is current and wouldnt mind seeing the one you have if it isnt trouble. Mothra666@aol.com. thanks!
When you contact them, you may need to provide them with the serial number of the unit so that they can check their records to see date of manufacture.If manufactured after revision "a" was released, your unit should have that version of the software.
If manufactured prior to the release date it may or may not have that software - you may need to take the DAC to a dealer/service agent to check the reference numbers on the EPROM chip.
PS: You got mail!
I have the Gen Va & it is still musical by modern standards, though well short of the best in terms of inner detail, transparency, timbre, dynamic envelop. A forum search will reveal pro modders out there who claim to take it to a higher level. If you can swing $1500 the battery-operated Altmann Attraction DAC with JISCO is probably the best hi-end value. With JISCO jitter reduction you can probably get by with your current transport.
The biggest sticking point is the availability of the Phillips CDM-9 Pro transports. I got rid of a PS Audio Lambda transport a few years ago for $500 to a very happy buyer. Factis both the Theta and Lambda were state of the art back in the early 90's but long term support for them has been in question for sometime. I have moved on to computer audio with a Mac Mini and Scott Nixon Dac. No regrets, I have a rotel player hooked up to my Muse Dac in case I need a cd player. On a limited budget a computer and a squeezebox 3 makes sense. Dumping a whole lot of $$$ into a new state of the art players doesn't appeal to me. Your thoughts may be different but I won't be marrying my wallet to my stereo anytime soon.
... a Laserdisk player capable of handling CD's and used a Pioneer mechanism.If his wording was an error and he has the "Data Basic II", then your comments regarding the CDM9-Pro are very valid.
yeah mine is the theta data II. With the laser disc belt transport.
If you still enjoy the player, why get rid of it?
well, only because it is hard to tell what you're missing. I think it is a lot better player than most i have heard, but it dopesnt make me run to want to listen to cd's if i have an LP handy. I guess maybe there is a cd playler out there that would do that, or maybe not. Being a poor-ish musican, i cant really afford this hobby and it has always been important for me to sell something to help fund an upgrade. If it gets to the point where the theta is woth 25 dollars and i want something that cost 5 grand, i won't be able to defer the cost with a sale.
can send you to a poor house. :D ( yes. still. )
Whilst many exotic DACs and up/down sampling/filtering schemes, there aren't many digital players that can go up against a good record playback.An analogue playback has that extra something that makes you want to listen to the music.
That quality is extremely hard to come by in most CD players.I don't know what CD players or DAC/transport would do it for you.
For me, a Naim player or 47Labs Shigaraki DAC ( with almost any transports) would do it but I suspect they sound nothing like your Theta thing.
Sell the transport, keep the dac. The dac won't wear out, the transport will. Figure what you can get for the dac and what you can buy used for that amt and go from there. Im "even" poorer than you and still have my Theta proprimeIIa. Theta made great stuff...
I agree with you Tom, Theta Dacs still hold their own (ive listened to few of the pre GEN-VIII models) and was always pleasantly surprised.Definitely changing the transport is the best way to go.
AP
# The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men # Jules Winnfield(Ezekiel 25:17)> Pulp Fiction <
any transport suggestions?
The best 'low budget' transport IMHO would be a Pioneer cd, dvd or a universal player... Some older Sony ES woud also be good..Depends too on how much cash you're allocating for this move.AP
# The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men # Jules Winnfield(Ezekiel 25:17)> Pulp Fiction <
well, i have a sony 999es, i could try whatever I suppose. I don't know what transports are good these days. Thanks
While you're deciding, try the $49.95 Toshiba 3990 at bestbuy.....
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