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CD player to pair with ZDSD (Read 7510 times)
Geno
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Without music, life
would be a mistake.

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CD player to pair with ZDSD
09/02/18 at 03:43:33
 
In the next week or so, I plan on ordering a Decware ZDSD. I need a new CD player to go with it. What should I get?
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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles
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Lon
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"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 23508
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #1 - 09/02/18 at 13:52:42
 
I really don't have much experience these days with cd players. When I got the Torii Mk III and the HR-1s years ago I realized that these components showed up all the deficiencies in my sources and I went through a lot of players til I ended up with the PS Audio sources that did my system justice. My best friend is interested in audio but won't pay big dollars, and after a lot of research he and I agreed that an Onkyo C-7030 that I have to admit "sounds okay" with his Peachtree Decco and my old pair of ERR speakers I gifted him, but I don't think would be fantastic in your system though it may work well as a transport. Recently he surprised me by spending money and buying a Cambridge Audio CXC transport and a Schitt Modi Multibit DAC and he says this is a great combination (I haven't heard it as he's in Austin and I haven't gotten there recently). So I sled him "would you recommend the Cambridge Audio transport to use with an even better DAC?" and he said he thinks it would do well. So there's a recommendation. . . .

I've used a PS Audio PerfectWave transport and now a PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player and I love them, but they are pretty darned expensive for what you get and they work best via an I2S over HDMI connection to the PS Audio DACs and so unless you have these DACs you don't get their best, and the duo is a very expensive proposition! (Plus the Memory Player has had operating system problems that frustrate many--don't really cramp MY style--and haven't been fixed completely yet). So unless you want to spend a lot of money I don't think they're a great choice.
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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK2,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II, P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3; VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects, IsoPods; headphones: Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1
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Geno
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Without music, life
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Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #2 - 09/02/18 at 14:01:40
 
Thank you Lon!   I will take a close look at the Cambridge transport.
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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles
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Geno
Seasoned Member
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Without music, life
would be a mistake.

Posts: 2000
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #3 - 09/03/18 at 21:16:36
 
Lon, I did a bunch of research on the Cambridge CXC and ordered one today. I was not aware of the existence of a CD "transport" without an internal dac. Sounds like it will be a better sounding option when paired with a separate dac.

And I think the CXC will match up well with my present dac, an Arcam irdac2, until I get the ZDSD from Decware.

Thank you for pointing me in what I think is the right direction.

Geno
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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles
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Lon
Seasoned Member
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"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 23508
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #4 - 09/03/18 at 21:43:30
 
Great Geno,  be sure and share your impressions when you have it in the system.
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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK2,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II, P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3; VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects, IsoPods; headphones: Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1
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Geno
Seasoned Member
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Without music, life
would be a mistake.

Posts: 2000
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #5 - 09/08/18 at 15:20:11
 
Lon, thanks again for informing me about the Cambridge CD Transport. Like I said, I was not aware that there was such a thing as a Transport without a DAC.  The separation of instruments and overall sound is much better with the CXS. Now I’m really looking forward to adding the Decware DAC!
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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles
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stone_of_tone
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Listen Often/Listen
Deep

Posts: 3217
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #6 - 09/08/18 at 15:34:47
 
I won't even get into why I use the T-port I do use. Long story short Geno....you picked a good one. I've had the best of the best DAC's too in here (2014, 15 & 16)....and put my money elsewhere in the best Kabling and Tubes. IN my opinion....you don't know what your Decware can do until you have added great Kabling!  

The ZDSD is tailor made to run in to Decware by the Zen Master! You will Enjoy. If I ever go to another DAC (for example: Tidal capable MQA, etc...)....then Steve's ZBIT gets ordered ASAP.






ZMA ~ Enhancement happening/Pending...............   Cool


Listening Room:


Room Treatments from Michael Green & my Home Brew

Sony as Transport (DVP-NS57P)
Illuminati D-60 Digital Coax IC ~.5 meter

Shunyata Research Zitron Alpha Digital Power Cord to ZDSD {Significant}

Decware ZDSD DAC / Recorder
***************************************************************
W/Steve's Output Transformer's/kicking to the Curb quite a few superb DAC'S
***************************************************************
(@ -20 Ref Level, @ 16/192)
.....0.0, -0.5 or -1.0dB/Input Volume

WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030 ~.75 meter

Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier
~***********************~
NOS/Platinum/Mullard E188CC/7308's in my A12 an B12 Input positions Cryogenic~NOS/Platinum/Telefunken E88CC for Inverter Tubes~NOS RCA 0A3's & matched Quad/Tung-Sol Cryo'd 7581A's, Reflector Cryo'd 6P's or Gold Lion KT88's Cryo'd

***************************************************
Kimber Select KS6063 Speaker Cable 8ft WBT-0681-Ag Spades
***************************************************

Acoustic Zen Adagio - Black Pearl (Modified)
.....enjoying from 8 ohm ZMA Taps

Caintuck Audio Eminence Alpha 15" OB BASS Unit
Auralex Subdude




Acoustic Zen Adagio's x-over's Modified/Full Range with Mundorf MCap Supremes-single Cap to each Tweeter/4.5k cross
(Gutted: 3kHz/18dB/Octave, Linkwitz/Riley Crossovers....with all crappy parts = gone)


XLO Pro Power Cord to ZMA
PS Audio P3 Power Plant / Pangea AC-9SE from wall to P3
(Transport & ZDSD, Regenerated/*120*~ Multiwave off...ZMA on High Current Output)
System configured/on floor/Townshend CD Seismic Sink deployed & other isolation devices.





~Constants:
NOS/Platinum/Telefunken 6922/E88CC for Inverter Tubes (yes/the painfully expensive ones, from Upscale Audio = worth it, yes)
NOS RCA 0A3's.

Rotation/Power Quads:
~Matched Quad's~

Tung-Sol Cryo'd 7581A's
Reflector Cryo'd 6P's
Gold Lion KT88's Cryo'd
PENDING PURCHASE ~ GL KT77'S or T-Sol 7027A's.


Rotation/Input Tubes:
~NOS Platinum Tubes from Upscale Audio~

(Great Britain) Mullard 7308/E188CC ~  2 pair (both pair Cryogenic)
(US/Great Britain) Ediswan CV2492/6922 ~ 2 pair (one pair Cryogenic)
(Hungary) Tungsram 6922/E88CC ~ 1 pair
(Hungary) Tungsram PCC88/7DJ8 ~ 1 pair

~Control/came with ZMA~
(Russia) 6N23P ~ 2 pair.
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Room Treats-M.Green & mine
Sony TPort
Illuminati D60
Shunyata Z-Alpha DigPcord
Decware ZDSD DAC
Kimber Select KS1030
XLOProPcord
Decware ZMA/25th Mods
Kimber Select KS6063
Acoustic Zen Adagio/Modified
Kimber PK10 Palladian from wall
to PS Audio P3
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ScottNC
Seasoned Member
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Posts: 335
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #7 - 09/08/18 at 15:46:46
 
Gene,

Since you are getting a modified Tascam product in the ZDSD you might want to consider a Tascam transport, I have a sonic transporter AP i7 from Small Green Computer.

https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/audio-server/products/sonictransp...
Andrew Gillis is the owner/designer (603)488-0617

I'm very happy with it, and it has a very good team/tasam transport in it, Andrews may be able to steer you in a good direction, he  also got me onto a Mytek Brookln DAC which I'm also very happy with.

Hope this helps,
Best Scott
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TORII MKIV-25th,ZBIT,ZROCK2-25th,ZTPRE-25th,ZLC,DNA2's, REL S/3 SHO
MyTek Brooklyn DAC+,Sonore ultraRendu LinearPS,sonicTransport APi7 4TB
Woo WA6, Sennheiser HD660s
RoomTreatments,LineFeed,DHC1’s,DSR’s,ZENST,TriodeWireLabs,TimberNation Maple Plats
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Geno
Seasoned Member
****


Without music, life
would be a mistake.

Posts: 2000
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #8 - 09/08/18 at 15:48:01
 
Thanks for the response Stone. I’m starting to understand how important cables are. My wake up call was getting good speaker cable. The difference with that was amazing. Along with the ZDSD, my upgrade list includes all new interconnects. Also the ZROCK. It is very satisfying to hear the improvement when these changes are made.
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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles
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stone_of_tone
Seasoned Member
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Listen Often/Listen
Deep

Posts: 3217
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #9 - 09/08/18 at 15:55:05
 
You know it Geno, enjoy.

Decware ~ZDSD~
+, (@ -20 Ref Level, @ 16/192)
.....0.0, -0.5 or -1.0dB/Input Volume

Great feature this is.......rarely need to use it....but when I do...just the sensitivity of -0.5dB/Input Volume....is a treasure!
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Room Treats-M.Green & mine
Sony TPort
Illuminati D60
Shunyata Z-Alpha DigPcord
Decware ZDSD DAC
Kimber Select KS1030
XLOProPcord
Decware ZMA/25th Mods
Kimber Select KS6063
Acoustic Zen Adagio/Modified
Kimber PK10 Palladian from wall
to PS Audio P3
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Geno
Seasoned Member
****


Without music, life
would be a mistake.

Posts: 2000
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #10 - 09/08/18 at 16:00:54
 
Thank you Scott. Unfortunately, the products you mention are out of my price range. I have been aware of the Mytek products for sometime now and know of the quality and reputation.
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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles
  IP Logged
Lon
Seasoned Member
****


"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 23508
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #11 - 09/08/18 at 16:08:21
 
Geno wrote on 09/08/18 at 15:20:11:
Lon, thanks again for informing me about the Cambridge CD Transport. Like I said, I was not aware that there was such a thing as a Transport without a DAC.  The separation of instruments and overall sound is much better with the CXS. Now I’m really looking forward to adding the Decware DAC!

Awesome Geno! Glad my recommendation bore such good fruit. I do know my friend is very happy with his as well.
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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK2,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II, P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3; VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects, IsoPods; headphones: Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1
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stone_of_tone
Seasoned Member
****


Listen Often/Listen
Deep

Posts: 3217
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #12 - 09/08/18 at 16:14:55
 
Yes, very nice DAC Scott has (MQA baby)!

Geno, with Steve's output stage with ZDSD, the 0 +3 over, for me, can be used almost all the time (= running flat at 0.0dB INPUT VOLUME). YMMV however, .......you have the .....0.0, -0.5 or -1.0dB/Input Volume.

Right now, listening to an Rippington's CD.....transformed by just -0.5dB/Input Volume....... .    Wonderful DAC!

You will know what I mean by "the 0 +3 over", Graphic when you get her.
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Room Treats-M.Green & mine
Sony TPort
Illuminati D60
Shunyata Z-Alpha DigPcord
Decware ZDSD DAC
Kimber Select KS1030
XLOProPcord
Decware ZMA/25th Mods
Kimber Select KS6063
Acoustic Zen Adagio/Modified
Kimber PK10 Palladian from wall
to PS Audio P3
  IP Logged
Geno
Seasoned Member
****


Without music, life
would be a mistake.

Posts: 2000
Re: CD player to pair with ZDSD
Reply #13 - 09/19/18 at 02:20:54
 
Stone, I purchased a ZDSD from Jeff of A, and need some help getting the settings right. Can you please explain the way you have yours set up?

Thanks much!

Geno
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(2)SE84UFO(Balanced Monoblocs) OR Sansui AU-222
Crown sub amp
Cambridge Audio CXN(ModWright) • ZBIT
SL-1210MK5(KAB Mods) Soundsmith Aida MKll cart • Darlington Labs MP-7
Otari MX5050-Bll2 R2R
ZLC Power Cond.
Lii Audio PT-10/W-15 in open baffles
  IP Logged
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