Ar dac-7

[Ricjor1]

I can't believe how much better the AR DAC-7 sounds after a couple days of continuous play. Is the Rega Apollo that bad or the DAC-7 that good? I don't want to exaggerate, but it sounds like I have new speakers.

Does the transport has as much impact on the sound? If so, what's a good transport for the DAC-7?

[markmck79]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

I can't believe how much better the AR DAC-7 sounds after a couple days of continuous play. Is the Rega Apollo that bad or the DAC-7 that good? I don't want to exaggerate, but it sounds like I have new speakers.

Does the transport has as much impact on the sound? If so, what's a good transport for the DAC-7?

You basically have the equivalent of an ARC CD-5. I've had good luck using Sony ES SACD players as CD transports, plus you have the option of having SACD in your system (though not through the DAC-7.

Others I know have had good luck with the Oppo players. Mike (Ritmo) can probably comment on that. I would think that the Oppo BDP-93 would be a great transport.

If you only plan to listen to CD then your Apollo will probably serve you well and you might be best served spending the money elsewhere. What are you using for your digital interconnect cable? Have you tried computer audio? While not as good as the DAC8, the 7's USB does offer good sound with the right computer setup. Or, you could go with a Wadia 171i and an iPod/iPad...

[Ricjor1]

markmck79

I'm using Kimber Kables D-60 BNC Type connection. Does the transport have as much impact on the sound as a DAC?

[Ritmo]

Glad you are enjoying your DAC7. As Mark mentioned above, I've been extremely happy with my Oppo83se as the transport into the DAC8.

Also, as good as the 83se it is as a player, the addition of the DAC8 made a VERY significant improvement in the music experience - not that it was bad before!

Mike

[markmck79]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

markmck79

I'm using Kimber Kables D-60 BNC Type connection. Does the transport have as much impact on the sound as a DAC?

My experience has been that the DAC is more crucial, assuming a reasonably good transport. As I've said, I don't have experience with the Apollo, but I do seem to recall it being reviewed well. Again, I assume the transport has minimal jitter and no irregularities in how it reads/outputs the digital signal. But, transports do sound different. Oppo does offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so it might be worthwhile to try one out.