ARC CD player vs. transport and DAC8?

[BillK]

Has anyone been able to compare the sound of a CD5 or CD8 to that of a more inexpensive transport like one of the Oppo BD players connected to a DAC8?

[markmck79]

Originally Posted by BillK

Has anyone been able to compare the sound of a CD5 or CD8 to that of a more inexpensive transport like one of the Oppo BD players connected to a DAC8?

I have posted several times in the ARC forums about my various experiences with Sony ES SACD players/"transports" and the ARC DAC8 (& when I previously owned a DAC7). You should be able to search my prior posts here.

To me this is the best of all worlds and I've found that the combination with a DAC7 is quite competitive with a CD5 and with the DAC8 far & away trumps the CD5. In regards to the CD8, well, I'm on the side of I currently have enough tubes in my system, but you will find others on this forum that desire an ARC DAC with tube output stage. According to those that I've spoken with at ARC while giving feedback on drivers, etc., they believe the DAC8 is the current state of the art and did not have plans to incorporate a tube output stage at that point in time.

[AndrewN]

Slightly (?) off topic, but I use a DAC8 with a music server (audio optimised computer) and I can't imagine returning to CD. Red-book is great on the DAC8, high-res is (on the whole) better and the future is bright! The DAC8 is great, better than the 7 (I have both), but they'll be something even better soon... that's the good news and the bad news about new media.

[Ritmo]

Haven't done the comparison with the CD 5 or 8, but I'm very happy with my Oppo 83se and DAC8 combo.

Mike

[BA2060]

Originally Posted by AndrewN

Slightly (?) off topic, but I use a DAC8 with a music server (audio optimised computer) and I can't imagine returning to CD. Red-book is great on the DAC8, high-res is (on the whole) better and the future is bright! The DAC8 is great, better than the 7 (I have both), but they'll be something even better soon... that's the good news and the bad news about new media.

Agreed. Music Server to DAC8 is the primo combo.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by BillK

Has anyone been able to compare the sound of a CD5 or CD8 to that of a more inexpensive transport like one of the Oppo BD players connected to a DAC8?

I am not sure about less expensive pieces. I compared the Ref CD8 to both the MCD-500 & the MCD-1100 . Although the MCD-500 and CD8 were close, neither was able to get the vocals and higher end right like the MCD-1100. I think the dealer was very surprised to hear how much better the newer Mac piece. sounded.

Jim