Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Friendly Audiophile Advice <Insert pulling my h
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1242264968

Message started by braves6117 on 05/14/09 at 02:36:08

Title: Friendly Audiophile Advice <Insert pulling my h
Post by braves6117 on 05/14/09 at 02:36:08

Edit: I can't believe I already screwed up with the title!! The "h" should be hair! :-[

Hi Folks,

I apologize for the first post status and all, but I was referred here by an individual citing it as a great source of help and advice. And well, I’m stumped regarding which path to take regarding integrated amps or separates…..

I just need some friendly good advice, nothing that you wouldn’t do yourself; I take your thoughts seriously.

As a background of sorts, and to build some credibility of seriousness, I spent the last 9 days and over 19 hrs of actual audition time critically and blindly (to cost that is) listening to 15+ different tower pair from entry level to so called holy grails and chose a pair that sounded best to my ears. I can't even tell you how many salesmen I drove insane. I'll purposely hold my tongue for what I chose ::)lol

So, my problem lies in my indecision to choose an integrated amp, separate amp and pre, or even, simply a pro amp with AVR as the DAC….

To show you how bad my mind hurts, I’ve at one point said “This is it, I’m going with this…” for each following option :o:

McIntosh Integrated MA6300
Musical Fidelity A5.5
Cambridge Audio 840A

Denon 2908CI AVR to McIntosh Amp, Rotel Amp, even Emotiva Amp
Denon 2908CI AVR to Pro Amp

So, what I see is a price range from $900 to $k+ at retail ;D….

So, if my focus is on quality reproduction of a variety of music, will my DAC or amplifier have more influence on the signal? (Disregard power concerns, there will be enough lol)

I know and have heard the folks echoing separate for better quality, but if I’m going to need a DAC anyways for my digital signals, and since integrated units don’t have on board DAC’s, whats the use going integrated? Why not feed the AVR, perform conversion, and go to amp? That, and well, separate everything gets expensive real quick…..

And more importantly, what do you suggest I do….maybe we can spur better thoughts together then, lack for a better word, my crap.

Thanks so much for the read, time, and input.

Title: Re: Friendly Audiophile Advice <Insert pulling my h
Post by Doorman on 05/14/09 at 02:50:28

If you plan on using a "redbook" CDP, 2 ch, music-only system, you may find that a number of CDP's, including the Decware ZCD sound more that just ok w/o a stand alone DAC.
Combined with a really nice integrated, you may find a lot of satisfaction
in such a "simple system".
Obviously, much will depend on which speakers you've settled on, (and if indeed you stay with your current choice after setting up the rest of your system)
Let us know how you get on!
Don
Oh, you'll note that Decware makes some very good sounding amps/pre's to add to your above list.

Title: Re: Friendly Audiophile Advice <Insert pulling my h
Post by Rivieraranch on 05/14/09 at 02:53:40

Why don't you look into some of the tube options here? A good tubed CD player such as the Zen with a TABOO or MINI TORI SE would sound awesome. You would not necessarily need a DAC for that.

Title: Re: Friendly Audiophile Advice <Insert pulling my h
Post by braves6117 on 05/14/09 at 02:54:46

Thanks very much for the response Don. At the moment, I hadn't settled a CDP....in fact, shoot me now, I was thinking of using my PS3 digi out.... :-/

For speakers, I chose B&W CM9

Title: Re: Friendly Audiophile Advice <Insert pulling my h
Post by braves6117 on 05/14/09 at 02:59:27

Oh man, my age is showing....I have no experience with tube gear guys....being 23 and just leaving college explains that ;)

Title: Re: Friendly Audiophile Advice <Insert pulling my h
Post by Lon on 05/14/09 at 03:47:50

I have bought an excellent CD/SACD player, the Sony SCD-XA 5400 ES.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665537319

I love it i love it I love it. (Wasn't that impressed with the ZCD or Zen Cd player mentioned above). The Cd sound is excellent, the SACD sound is really something again.

In keeping with your idea of a DAC at the integrated amplifier (a concept that works really well for me in my bedroom system using a Peach Tree Audio Decco) Sony has introduced an intriguing receiver that will take two channel and multi-channel output from this player via HDMI and decode the DSD right there. Looks like that combination might sound great. . . depending on the speakers you chose. (I haven't heard the receiver, but if it's as good as the player, it's damned good). The receiver and the player are locked in with Sony's HATS anti-jitter system which is supposed to work well and make an impact on the sound.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665532067