Destiny amp: Destiny CD vs BD plus Rega DAC / cables

[Thumpa]

Hi all

I've bought a Destiny amp and ordered a Sonos ZP 90 (largely for services) - Rega DAC (2-ch HT hub / CD play i.e ZP90 / UD Panasonic Bluray SC-BT230 [SC-BT200 gets a 5-star WHF review] / Foxtel HD iQ2 pay tv box) - Epos Epic 5.

Neither in the plan nor the budget, the dealer that sold me the amp then decided I cld have the ex-display Destiny CD player for such a silly sum -- less than half-price -- I feel I can't afford not to buy it.

My question is how much would I miss out on if, instead of the Destiny CD partnered w Destiny amp, I played CDs thru Bluray and Rega DAC?

It seems all the reviews talk about an exponential gain when the Destiny-s are partnered...

NB: Further, any views, particularly Destiny / Epos-specific, on cables connects would be greatly appreciated – just how much? Brand ... make. Chord seems to be first choice here, but Nordost, Tara Labs and QED are available.

It's curious to have a speaker that apparently just doesn't care what you feed it / where you put it etc, partnered to a high-quality "affordable high-end" amp.

On cabling, I found a Mike Creek comment in a HFC interview partic interesting: "My philosophy is evolution, not revolution. A lot of the improvements (designing Destiny) involve better quality components, cabling and so on."

Thanks

 

[CnoEvil]

Can't help with the first part of the question.

As for cables, I would look at Telurium Q or Atlas, and avoid anything silver coated. I find Nordost too lean and analytical (though they are "fast and tight").

 

[Thumpa]

As always, thanks Cno -- your help has been invaluable. I feel much more comfortable now, essentially all done. We'll soon hear. The Atlas looks not only smart, but good value.

btw I was waiting to get that first hearing before reporting back; not much to say, really, before that.

*I notice a post just after mine was better put: will I lose anything by playing CDs thru Bluray (transport) and DAC as opposed to dedicated CD player? Does this help?

Thanks again

 

[CnoEvil]

I knew what you were asking, it's just I was hoping that someone with more direct experience would give an answer.

It is my hunch that the Rega DAC is good enough, that you won't miss the CDP.
IMO The transport makes more difference than is often suspected, but at this level I think you will be OK. Can you can try, and return if necessary.

 

[Thumpa]

Although it's in Sydney (I'm Bris) I probably can -- they've been really good. Really: Initially $2095 ex $3275, it's now $1250 delivered. Transport's max $70 ... yeah, I'll see if they'll let me hear it to make up my mind. $140 beats $1250, regardless.

Of course at $1250, I cld buy it just to sell it. But I'd feel oh so dirty... heh heh

 

[CnoEvil]

Thinking about it again, I would hear how the Rega Dac sounds before bringing over the CDP.

I think the future is streaming, and if that is where you are heading, then I wouldn't spend more money than you have already. What you have purchased now, will easily be good enough to keep you going until then.

 

[Thumpa]

Yeah, me too ... reports out already quoting insiders saying major labels readying to abandon CD format. Having two bites of the cherry, AusHiFi published same before bucketing it, saying that'd be 25bil down the gurgler. I think that's wrong; like a newspaper, if you take out production costs of the physical in favour of the virtual, the saving is 60%, according to Rupert's RH man. Same goes for higher rez downloads, I expect.

Personal confusion comes in with the low price of the CDP. But I was always going to tell them it cld take me up to a week to confirm, my budget was blown. Destiny (sorry) can take it from there. It'd be nice to have...

btw I just re-read the 'excellent first post', responded to your more intelligent view (rather conservatively too i might add -- wtf good is half a dac?? besides an extra $500 - $700?? before the real dac??) and all of a sudden I got hit over the head with a sledgehammer. Have you digested retail comments?? I was seriously thinking of quoting and asking if he seriously wanted a repeat 10k performance ... unfortunately, my doing it wld be far too spectacular for my liking...

Anyway cheers Cno, huge thanks again.

NB: I knew you knew, I was just pushin' ... heh heh

Here's the AusHiFi CD yarn, if you haven't already read the Side Line Music orig:

http://www.avhub.com.au/index.php/News/Hi-Fi/cd-manufacturing-to-cease.html

 

[CnoEvil]

NB: I knew you knew, I was just pushin' ...

..can you tell Mrs Cno, as she thinks I know nothing (of use)!

Edit. She says, "she KNOWS", that I know nothing of use.

 

[Thumpa]

No, she just likes you to think she thinks you know nothing. That's why she says "she knows", you know...

Of course "of use" is just another distraction.

You need to tell her abaout your avatar: "See what you've done to me... my sensibilities..." heh heh

No, I have a feeling Mr and Mrs Cno are quite okay, doing quite nicely, thank you very much.

btw while completely abusing this page ... I decided to check out "Rolling back the years'" Pioneer so Googled the model and it was full of WHF avatars and plasticpenguins!! For some reason -- I Googled my own name once about 10 years ago -- I G'd up 'Thumpa' OM-EDIT!!! For edit's sake, it's my dog's kennel pet name. Kalrissan Firewalker is Thumpa, the biggest of the litter of six generations of Aus / USA / UK / Hawaiin and even a German? national champions show Rotts. We don't show, just wanted a great dogs -- and got magic. Gentlest, friendliest little -- i guess you can't say female dog: EDIT -- but back to the point. Biggest, made her own space = Thumpa. Well!! Lordy Lordy!! Go Google 'Thumpa'

Gay porn(ography -- I'm edit-paranoid)!! Derived from Thumpa-Thumpa -- as in disco!!

THEN I realised why me mate from Darwin never spoke to me again!! Simply cos he was an Oz lad, straight up offered my (junk, but daily-checked) email, thinking he was most likely up there just working, lonely. According to great okka legend Darwin and gay = North and North pole (or South and South, which wever way you swing!!)

How the edit do ya change yr Thumpa, then? Hey?

heh heh heh

PS: Ensure you quote (me) to the Mrs Cno! NOT on the ... just the...!! You KNOW...

 

[CnoEvil]

PS: Ensure you quote (me) to the Mrs Cno! NOT on the ... just the...!! You KNOW...

.....not a clue!

Probably need an Aussie translator. :?

 

[Thumpa]

I was alluding to my misfortune in using my dog's name, not to tell her that biz. Do tell her that she should be more appreciative, esp of your knowledge, and more protective of your sensibilities. But I was getting delerious, flat out deciphering it myself.

Worst. Bluray has no coax out, no nothing out. Useless. Rumour4: silver coated?? I really wanna yell out edit. I was so distracted by work (least that's amusing) and inadvertantly half-did all, completely hacking it. Have to re-do tomorrow, tho that doesn't help the CD transport thing. Any (inexpensive) ideas?? This 'cheap' Destiny CDP keeps hanging round, uninvited.

Bridged ZP90 - Rega DAC - Destiny - Epic5. No CDP. I also think I'll just do SilverScreen, my understanding is it's silver-free: correct? I was trying to read the article below before I ordered. From a scientific-ish view it apparently heaps it on cables, to a point I imagine. Largely marketing. Some interesting stuff, very basic, I'm sure it's all old to you. But I might get back to it.

*I thought one had to be a walking ego and a female dog to be in my industry; this audio thing is fairly special.

*I just want a healthy soundstage, on which Lou and band can get musical, rock my world. Is that really too much???

Thank you.

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/subjective-vs-objective-debate.html

 

[CnoEvil]

I was alluding to my misfortune in using my dog's name, not to tell her that biz. Do tell her that she should be more appreciative, esp of your knowledge, and more protective of your sensibilities. But I was getting delerious, flat out deciphering it myself.

Worst. Bluray has no coax out, no nothing out. Useless. Rumour4: silver coated?? I really wanna yell out edit. I was so distracted by work (least that's amusing) and inadvertantly half-did all, completely hacking it. Have to re-do tomorrow, tho that doesn't help the CD transport thing. Any (inexpensive) ideas?? This 'cheap' Destiny CDP keeps hanging round, uninvited.

Bridged ZP90 - Rega DAC - Destiny - Epic5. No CDP. I also think I'll just do SilverScreen, my understanding is it's silver-free: correct? I was trying to read the article below before I ordered. From a scientific-ish view it apparently heaps it on cables, to a point I imagine. Largely marketing. Some interesting stuff, very basic, I'm sure it's all old to you. But I might get back to it.

*I thought one had to be a walking ego and a female dog to be in my industry; this audio thing is fairly special.

*I just want a healthy soundstage, on which Lou and band can get musical, rock my world. Is that really too much???

Thank you.

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/subjective-vs-objective-debate.html

On the cable thing, I just go with my own judgement, and pay what I think the benefit is worth, to me.

The Silver Screen is a nice copper cable, that makes a good place to start.

 

[Thumpa]

Found Atlas Hyper 2.0, same $ as Rumour4 and Equator 2.0 MkII for half that. (??) Transport solved Pioneer DV 266, sister

Dealer was interesting, very. He'd called, which was re-assuring. "(Old) Pioneer...?" The spontaneous tone, reaction overall, was purely positive, an endorsement. Went on to somewhat bag BD, to a level. "Too much to do ... heat" etc. If he was putting it on.. very good executuon. Although I'm not as convinced abt sincerity level, puts Rega DAC-transport CD play way above price point. I mean way above. Perhaps includes versatility, two components... Says it's their biggest? mover. 'Pioneer' kicked off lengthy chat about 70s / 80s amps, some speakers; fond, entertaining reminisce and said we're near full circle essentially, if I recall. Lots covered, (Japanese) Luxman got some superb coverage: him. I was gonna argue...

Trivia, Melb: Walnut, as in 70-80s, by far biggest seller, abt 75%. Black gloss now all but rejected. (PMC was/is seriously considering: US rep.

* 'start', 'for now'. quite comforting. Need reminding. Big thanks, important.

Some content from workshop (below) is truly frightening, the subconscious mind and the untrustworthy nature of human hearing, involuntarily some times, for both (I think). And the ease with which we develop prejudices, the power we attach. Wo. Maybe Woe! We'll soon have new measurements THD a, b: audio, brain. Poss i and v sub-categories: voluntary or not. And vision. 8/8 students jailed wrong man. Most of them wld have flicked the switch, too. Freaks ... Freaks me out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTlN6wjcvQ Audio Myths workshop, AES NYC 09. Site's first comments include info on book in progress on debunking / dispelling 'audio mysticism'. Again I suspect you're all over it. One day you'll have to tell me what an alert /myths-aware, educated and knowledgable, nonetheless pro enthusiast / enthusiastic pro (looks like stereo ... lordy, I can feel Cheech and Chong interrupting) listens to!!! More to the point, what one buys!!

There's one of the things. The way cash gets thrown around. People with rocks in plastic bags taped to their connects at the amp ... yeah!! etc etc etc. Even the way this ($90, *somewhat reluctantly*) DVDP was received ... makes me wonder sometimes. I mean, at heart, I'm a subjectivist (I think ... as in emotional, creative ... allow for shades of grey ... etc). But not in the face of facts. And that's a bother. Much 'research' perhaps has been misguided, perhaps just getting it right...

Ohhh. I know I'm slow, anyway, but *embarrassment*... Seeno just took on whole new meaning...

Anyway, hope I haven't bored the BeJethro H Tulll out of you ... a double dose. And in a strange, deepish place, for reasons better known by others.

For both Mr and Mrs Cno: just say, "Crikey, g'day mate..." Appreciation levels sure to rise -- sharply!! (In case of emergency ONLY: Oi Oi Oi ... that's Ozzie Oi Ozzie Oi etc) Ahh, the pride...