CD & DAC Advice

I have a Musical Fidelity A3CD and I'm wondering if there are any improvements to be had by adding a DAC to the equation.

 

Lot of the times, the transport is holding the DAC back, so I think a complete new modern player would be a better bet, but I guess others may think differently.

What is the rest of the system?

 

The rest of the system is an Exposure 3010 Pre and Power Combo, which I love to bits. Orelle The Swing Loudspeakers rewired with silver cabling which I also love to bits.

I have to say that I do really like the CD player and I don't really wanna change it, that said if the sound can be improved by a DAC then I'd happily go for it...

 

What sort of budget do you have?

I'd agree with Garmt that a whole new CD player might be a better bet- you should get £250-300 for your A3 to add to the budget.

 

Thanks guys, do you have any recommendations/preferences for CD players that would suit my Exposure/Orelle set up. I wanted to buy the Exposure 3010 CD player after auditioning it at HiFi Experience in central London but could not justify the £1200 price tag...

 

Hi, I'm with Garmt on this one. I have recently bought a Shigaraki DAC to replace an old Audio Alchemy DDE. It was a quantum leap and now I am sure I'll have to get myself a new transport to do it justice.
Are you into HiFi-ish or Musical? If you are looking for an engaging sound, try to listen to Naim, Exposure, Creek or Rega. And if you're bold enough to buy without listenning why not try a Njoe Tjoeb 4000 (much cheaper if you buy the kit)?

http://www.hifi-planet.com/hpah1.htm

 

Hey thanks. I just read a review on Stereophile for the Njoe Tjoeb 4000 and the reviewer has given it the big thumbs up. Oddly enough he contrasts it to the MF A3CD which I own and he was very complimentary about the MF although he did state that the Njoe was slightly more detailed.

As I write this response I'm currently listening to Randy Crawford and Joe Sample and I have to be 100% truthful when I say that I am captivated by the MF A3's musicality, timing and ability to draw me in.

So for now I think I'll keep my desire to improve upon the sound at bay as I'd be a confused wreck...

Many thanks for all of your input and assistance.

 

If you like your MF so much why not try and add a DAC. There's one for sale right here:

https://www.audio-forums.com/as-rediect/showthread.php?t=15737&highlight=shigaraki

If you like musical non-fatiguing sound this is the one to buy - I know it 'cause I have one. Later you can buy the transport.

 

Hey thanks Tuga, I am considering a DAC. I've looked at the Shigaraki and whereas they do get good reviews I do not truly like the design. I do have my eye on a MF A3 24 or even a NOS type DAC but i'm a bit unsure whether the sound will be compromised in some way.

 

where you based at - if not too far away then maybe I could bring my dac around for you to listen to - personally I wouldnb't opt for the Nos dac - I briefly tried it and sole it on...

 

NOS sound is not for everyone and one shouldn't buy a NOS product without checking its sound. i know many audiophiles who actually dislike it for a lack of common pseudo high end pyrotechnics

 

I live in South London......Thanks not too sure where that is in relation to you.

 

I hear you. For some reason i'm leaning towards getting a MF A324 at some point. A tad old, but I'm cool with that.

 

north east england - maybe a bit far for you I think...

 

Hmmm yes I do agree.....Thanks anyhow though, greatly appreciate your offer.

 

About the NOS sound, it definitelly isn't everyone's cuppa... If you like the brightness associated to (most) digital playback and exacerbated detail retieval then the Shigaraki is not for you. As for the looks of the thing, it's so small you can hide it behind the other gear - unless you buy this stuff o look at it ;^)

 

Being a vinyl geek...Vinyl sound is obiously where my heart is at....But I do want to hear clarity, timing, vocals, instrument separation, bass, mids and highs in the right places and not muddled....Am I asking for too much....?

 

I think youll have all that with the Shigaraki. The highs are smooth but they're there, and the bass and low midrange is as good as it comes. I'm not really sure it's the best DAC for orchestra though but since I have single driver speakers...
It's got pace, it's got rythm and the (acoustic) intruments sound juicy...

 

Thanks Tuga. I'll see how it goes in my quest....