Accuphase DC-37

[Harris4crna]

Thank you. I am glad to hear any Accuphase CD transport will sound better with the DC-37. I will keep my eyes open. Any Used CD transport you recommend? Im in japan, so i believe i should not have any isuue finding one.

[terrycym]

The newest one you can find that has HS-Link.
Preferably with an Accupase transport rather than Sony

[nvp]

Originally Posted by Harris4crna

I just purchased the DC-37 and been in my Accuphase system for about a week. Sounds great with the 3850 and the A-70. I run mostly computer files and have a old NAD CD transport. Considering finding a used Accuphase sACD transport so I can utilize the HS-Link. Has anyone listened to the DC37 connected via the HS-Link to a Accuphase CD transport. Will the sound be similar to a DP-720 since the DC37 DAC components are identical? Which used CD transport would you recommend?

Unless you need more digital inputs than the DP-720 offers, my advise would be to return the DC-37 and get a DP-720 instead. I recommend you this because sound-wise the usb, toslink and digital coaxial connections on my DP-720 are inferior to the DP-720 transport - there simply is not comparison here. Your C-3850 and A-70 deserve better than what usb and toslink can offer.

[nvp]

Originally Posted by terrycym

According to the dealer:
HS-Link is the best way to connect to it

In my experience by a very large margin.

Originally Posted by terrycym

The DC-37 sounds better than the DP-720 - they are NOT the same

I highly doubt that the DC-37 is better than the DP-720. There are some differences between the two DAC sections, e.g. the DC-37 is capable to handle more formats and it has a different power supply while the DP-720 (like all top units) has two separates left and right analog output circuits printed on teflon. However, the big difference (besides price) between the two units is the world class transport which was optimised for the DP-720 DAC. This transport actually makes a very big difference and it sounds significantly better than the rest of the digital connections available on DP-720. Also, the DP-720 offers external dsp in/out connectors which allows one to introduce a room correction unit into the loop (which further improves the sound).

[Mattia]

nvp

This transport actually makes a very big difference and it sounds significantly better than the rest of the digital connections available on DP-720

This is not the first time now I ear such impressions... really have to try!



On a side note, I really envy one that can ear clear differences between the DAC sections of the DC-37 and the DP-720. Really, no sarcasm involved.
I tried very hard, both with speakers and headphones, to tell the DC-37 apart from the DG-58, regarding DAC section, to no avail.

[terrycym]

I've compared the analogue outputs of the DP-720 and the DC-37 when the DP-720 was connected via HS-Link to the DC-37 and the latter sounded better. Other listeners at the time agreed.

[Harris4crna]

I really doubt the DAC portion of the DP-720 is that much better than the DC-37. My impression by Accuphase when I visited them a couple weeks ago stated the DAC portion of the 720 is similar to the 37. I bet they are comparable. Only the 900/901 is better. Again, I do not listen to many CDs and the extra cost of the transport in the 720 probably not worth it.

[nvp]

Originally Posted by Harris4crna

I really doubt the DAC portion of the DP-720 is that much better than the DC-37. My impression by Accuphase when I visited them a couple weeks ago stated the DAC portion of the 720 is similar to the 37. I bet they are comparable. Only the 900/901 is better. Again, I do not listen to many CDs and the extra cost of the transport in the 720 probably not worth it.

Harris, if the above answer was meant for me, then please note that I have never said the DAC section of DP-720 is better than the DC-37 DAC. I merely highlighted the differences between the two DACs without drawing any conclusions. I have recommended you to get a DP-720 because:

1) You said you are in Japan so the price difference between the two is significantly smaller than in Europe or USA.

2) You gave me the impression that you would be interested to buy an Accuphase cd player with h-link to use as a transport for the DC-37 DAC. This will make the price difference between the DC-37 and DP-720 even smaller.

Consequently, I do not think the small amount you will save in the end is worth on the long run. Instead of one very good Accuphase box you will end up with two boxes that most likely will not play at the same level and cost almost as much. You should also know that older Accuphase players (i.e. units that are 4-5 years old) are known to have problems with their lasers. At first they fail reading some discs but the problems aggravates with time.

[nvp]

Originally Posted by terrycym

I've compared the analogue outputs of the DP-720 and the DC-37 when the DP-720 was connected via HS-Link to the DC-37 and the latter sounded better. Other listeners at the time agreed.

Unless the DC-37 was louder I do not think the difference between the DC-37 DAC and the DAC section of DP-720 player will by very obvious. (Mattia knows what he is talking, he is the master tester here )

My experience is that top Accuphase units (e.g. C-28xx, DP-7xx, A-6X, A70) play music in a much calmer way than the middle class Accuphase units (e.g. DP-550, DC-37, C-24xx and A-4X). The top units do not offer more details but instead provide a much more relaxed and better controlled presentation - this regardless of the unit type (i.e. cd player, pre-amp or power amp).

[terrycym]

I was just reporting my experiences.