CDP or DAC around £400?

Since I changed my speakers from Epos > Neat, despite the plus points i.e. more, better bass, and detail ability, I seem to have lost the brightness which I loved about the Epos.

I'm wondering whether changing my DVD/DAC combo to something brighter sounding would help?

Im currently using a Sony DVD player as a transport, and a MF X-DAC (old type with HDCD).

Im thinking of selling the X-DAC and going for either a dedicated CDP or a better DAC??

Looking to spend around £400 mark - 2nd hand is probably my best bet? Or maybe something like the Micromega Minium CDP from Shadow Audio at £399??? Anyone heard this??

Although the Neat speakers are very good sounding, and better in some ways, I just seem to be missing the Epos' airy, bright sound! Im hoping to get this back by changing the CDP to something more suitable? Quite like the look of the Rega CDPs, and theyre meant to sound great too - would one of these give me the brightness im looking for?

ANy help appreciated.

The amp im using is the Qinpu A-1.0X.

Cheers!

 

if it only the speakers that have changed the sound you were happy with ? just buy some supertweeters or modify the crossovers in your new speakers. maybe just change the tweeters for something a bit more sensitive?

 

DIY article on supertweeters, I can't comment on how they sound, just to give you an idea of what can be done on the cheap if required.


http://www.hilberink.nl/codehans/tannoy71.htm

*contemplates making a pair*

 

I might be selling my MF a324 in 3 weeks time -

http://www.gcaudio.com/newsletter/2002_summer4.html

http://www.audio-ideas.com/reviews/digital-sources/bel-canto-dac2-mf-a324.html

after I've compared that and my new DAC...

price will be around 350 - rrp 800 when it came out

you can pop around for a demo if need be...

 

I'm selling my immaculate Naim CDi for £400
Paul

 

Hi Mr Cat,

thanks for the offer! I havent really decided what to do yet - DAC or CDP....

If I go the DAC route I may be interested, although I have been advised to look at various NOS DACs available.

Thanks again.

 

BY the way, which DAC are you going for??? Have you got it yet??

 

hi, I have the new Nos Dac (http://www.sigtone.net) - it'll take about 3 weeks (2 more?) weeks to open up...

at the moment on some kinds of music - accoustic, vocals etc, etc - it can sound better than the MFa324 but where the music is bassy - it can sound a bit muddly (but again, I'm hoping this will sort itself out in time) and I can almost hear more music than I could hear previously...
it does have a more analogue feel to it...

but on some music like dance - I'm not sure if it's better tho...it does sound different...

I'm getting a wooden hifi rack tomorrow (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4466645098&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1) so I'm not sure how that will change the sound further...so, more testing.

 

Thanks, I had a look at it on the website, looks good! Hope it starts to run in nicely.

Also looked at the hifi rack - nice! It does seem narrow though, will it fit your kit on ok??

 

yeah, the rack - the back support will go to the righthand side and the components will fit like that - I also bought a table from them sometime ago so it'll match that!! but I just hope it can support the weight...

 

what model of epos did you have?

(I have the es22 floorstanders, btw)

 

I had M5s - unbelievable for the price!

 

or 'wonderously make-believable' for the price