ARC Ref CD-9 vs. Ref DAC

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare these two units? I auditioned the Ref CD-9 in my system a few months ago and it was the most analog sounding CD player I've ever heard yet quite linear. As I own a large catalog of high res. files, I'm also curious how the Ref CD-9's DAC stacks up to the Ref DAC.

Thanks,
Ken

[rscotth]

I've heard the RefDac connected directly to ref75se and it was amazing. Haven't heard the CD9. Since the RefDac is an older piece, and the new Dac9 just came out in the Foundation series, I've got to believe that a newer RefDac is on the horizon. Pure speculation!

[Maxflo]

Ken, some times ago i had a chance to compare CD9 with RefDac (+ CD9 as transport) on the same system and both sound more or less the same. RefDac has wider range of features like streaming from the NAS. If you plan to have Pre from ARC on the level of Ref5SE it would be no differences, if you want to have system with higher level pre or newer one like Ref6 you can have better sound (maybe).
After the testing i bought RefDac, I am very happy and maybe upgrade it when REFDac MK2 would be available.

[PASSFREAK]

Hi Ken,
I read some posts from you earlier and i believe that you have a Esoteric K-01X right?
The Ref CD-9 is better for you than a K-01X????
Best

Pablo

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Maxflo

Ken, some times ago i had a chance to compare CD9 with RefDac (+ CD9 as transport) on the same system and both sound more or less the same. RefDac has wider range of features like streaming from the NAS. If you plan to have Pre from ARC on the level of Ref5SE it would be no differences, if you want to have system with higher level pre or newer one like Ref6 you can have better sound (maybe).
After the testing i bought RefDac, I am very happy and maybe upgrade it when REFDac MK2 would be available.

Hi Maxflo,

Very informative post. Thanks so much! The way you compared them makes a lot of sense. I'm definitely leaning towards the Ref DAC now. I have a Ref 10 preamp. The two should go great together. I will take advantage of the terrific transport in my K-01X via its AES/EBU digital output if I want to listen to CDs through the Ref DAC, and continue to spin my SACD collection through the K-01X.

Thanks,
Ken

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by PASSFREAK

Hi Ken,
I read some posts from you earlier and i believe that you have a Esoteric K-01X right?
The Ref CD-9 is better for you than a K-01X????
Best

Pablo

Hi Pablo,

The K-01X and the Ref CD-9 are different and each has its own strengths. They are different flavors. Sometimes I like vanilla and sometimes I like chocolate. The Ref CD-9's performance benefits from strong synergy with my Ref 10 preamp.

Best,
Ken

[JBT]

From what I understand the Reference DAC has been somewhat of a bust. I have the CD9 and it's not only a great CD player but also a great DAC!! One of ARCs best. IMHO!

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by JBT

From what I understand the Reference DAC has been somewhat of a bust. I have the CD9 and it's not only a great CD player but also a great DAC!! One of ARCs best. IMHO!

Hi JBT,

I don't entirely disagree with you. From my conversations with owners, dealers and ARC, as a straight DAC, the Ref DAC works and sounds wonderful. However, as a network player, its functioning is anywhere from clunky to non-operational, depending on who you talk to. Those who are using a computer or music server with the Ref DAC appear to be extremely happy. ARC will have to address these interface issues with their 2017 update of the Ref DAC if they want it to be a success.

These are some of the reasons I'm considering the Ref CD-9. A CD transport that is uncomplicated and works and sounds wonderful. A straight DAC that functions and sounds great. No volume control that can't be defeated. That's what makes this a tough choice.

Best,
Ken

[enatai252]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi JBT,



I don't entirely disagree with you. From my conversations with owners, dealers and ARC, as a straight DAC, the Ref DAC works and sounds wonderful. However, as a network player, its functioning is anywhere from clunky to non-operational, depending on who you talk to. Those who are using a computer or music server with the Ref DAC appear to be extremely happy. ARC will have to address these interface issues with their 2017 update of the Ref DAC if they want it to be a success.



These are some of the reasons I'm considering the Ref CD-9. A CD transport that is uncomplicated and works and sounds wonderful. A straight DAC that functions and sounds great. No volume control that can't be defeated. That's what makes this a tough choice.



Best,

Ken

I bought the Ref DAC right as it was introduced and used it in my study system up until about 6 months ago. The sound is the best I heard from an ARC digital product and I found that using it direct to amps and leveraging its high quality preamp feature provided the best results. The interface is however very poorly thought through and in the end....I decided to replace with a Rossini.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by enatai252

I bought the Ref DAC right as it was introduced and used it in my study system up until about 6 months ago. The sound is the best I heard from an ARC digital product and I found that using it direct to amps and leveraging its high quality preamp feature provided the best results. The interface is however very poorly thought through and in the end....I decided to replace with a Rossini.

Thanks for your comments. What preamp were you bypassing when you made the determination that the Ref DAC sounded superior running directly to the amps? What are the rest of the components in your system?

I own the ARC Ref 10 preamp and it would be a major negative if I found this to be the case in my system (Vandersteen 7 mono amps and speakers). I would question the redundancy and sonic degradation caused by the Ref DAC's volume control, which cannot be defeated, used in conjunction with a top notch preamp. I would probably purchase the Ref CD-9 instead of the Ref DAC if I found this to be the case with the Ref 10 preamp in my system.

Best,
Ken