Hi
A few of you would have noticed me badgering folks about adding a HCDR to my SN2 - i had so many questions.
After discussing with a friend i am pointed to the direction of source first.
The logic being - adding an HCDR may or may not cut it for me but improving the source is the safest bet and is guaranteed resultsā¦
My primary source is the trusty Philips CD960 and i must be frank that i like it.
.But i would not know how much i am missing something"better" unless i dont try
so here goes my questions
a. Get a Naim Dac and use my Philips CD960 as transport
This will insulate me against the possibility of a second hand CDX2 breaking down on me and the associated nightmare of living far away from Naim service center.
This is also the cheapest i think and the Naim DAC requires no service at all.
b. My friend tells me my previous experience with a CD5XS would have been a one off - he is asking me to consider a CDX2 to partner my SN2. But the catch is the CDX2 will have to be 2nd hand.
Cant buy new - too costly for me.
and certainly the XPS is an impossibility for me.
c. My friend points me to the AMR CD 77 but this is expensive ( for me ) .
d. There is also another french CD player in the Euro 1600 range which interests me with a PCM 1792 DAC
As i pen down my thoughts on this thread - the writing is on the wall ( i am clearer that option 1 is most feasible ) but i realize that a dedicated CDP may outperform a DAC in most cases and will not have the headache of 2 boxes.
So i want to know if any of you use a CD transport into a Naim DAC and what has been your experience.
How far away would this combo of a Naim DAC + transport be from a dedicated player like CDX2 ?
would i be then ready for the HCDR ?
a discussion on other options is open too.
It appears to me adding the HCDR at this stage might not be advisable as i might need to up the source game.
I am not into streaming and i dont foresee it.
I like to hit the play button and be left alone - no android or ipad apps or no music apps for me.
regards
mpw