Marantz CD 5003 or CA Dac Magic?

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Hi, i am new to newbie.

my system is an entry level Samsung dvd player with NAD C320BEE amp and Monitor Audio Bronze B2 speakers that i bought for around USD500, connected with Daiyo RCA cables and speaker cables (size is around 10 AWG) that worth around USD 30.

I am listening to pop /rock music, sometimes also slower music such as those of Andrea Bocelli / Sade. Now I am thinking to upgrade my CD spinning player. Budget is around USD400 and the options that i have in Indonesia are:

Option 1: buy an entry level, dedicated CD player such as marantz CD 5003, CA 350 or CA 550, or Rotel 04 (I am leaning more towards Maratz CD 5003), or

Option 2: hook up the dvd player to Cambridge Audio DAC magic

buying hifi in Indonesia is something like a trial and error (or should i say, hit and miss). Most of hifi shops are dedicated pop and mom shops. Some shops carry certain brands (and dont have other brands) so its hard to compare / audition (and you may want to carry your own equipment if they dont have). And definetely no refund.

could someone give advice on which opton is probably a better sonic upgrade option?

many thanks,

 

[Anonymous]

Hi newtohifijkt. Welcome to the forum.

I'm afraid I have not heard the Marantz CD 5003 so can not give an opinion on what would sound better (I believe they would sound different, but 'better' can be subjective). However, to help I have undertaken a comparison using the options I have. Please infer what ever you want from my case.

So the test:

CA 640Cv2 phono out to amp

vs

CA 640Cv2 to DacMagic to amp

vs

Toshiba SD-360E budget DVD player to DacMagic to amp

Test 1 CA 640Cv2 phono out to amp vs. CA 640Cv2 to DacMagic to amp
This I did last year when I bought the DacMagic. I preferred the CA 640C through the DacMagic over using the onboard DAC and phono connection to the amp. Subtle differences, but perhaps more detail and more weight to the lower frequencies i.e. slightly stronger bass, but similar presentation as before. The comparison involved unplugging things, so there was a delay in-between comparisons.

Test 2 CA 640Cv2 via DacMagic vs. Toshiba SD-360E budget DVD player via DacMagic
Done today. First my predjudices - Before having done the test I'm inclined to want to prefer the CD player over the cheepie DVD player because it's a dedicated player and is worth more. So there's a chance in my mind I will predetermine this as my preferred source. I also believe that the quality of the transport is of equal importance to that of the DAC - I tend to believe a better transport should sound better than a poor one through the same DAC.

So my null hypothesis is CD player should sound better surely??

Step 1

Okay so I've hooked my 'budget' DVD player (Toshiba SD-360E) up to the DacMagic using coaxial.

I have my 'budget' CD player (Cambridge Audio 640Cv2) also connected to the DacMagic using coaxial.

Test system: Amplification - Cyrus PreX vs. + SmartPower. Speakers - ATC SCM11. See bio for more details.

Step 2

DacMagic is set to 'Min' filter for both sources.

Step 3

I have loaded Astral Weeks into both. Not the best CD to test a system, but I have two copies of the same pressing / mastering, so it removes that variable from the test.

Step 4

Press play at the same time and flick between the two.

Step 5

Repeat steps 3 and 4 with Radiohead's Kid A (Different pressings, but I believe same mastering).

Step 6

Repeat steps 3 and 4 with R.E.M's Automatic for the people (Different pressings, but I believe same mastering).

Unfortunately unable to do a true blind test as I have no assistant on hand today.

Results

Okay so I'm surprised by the results. I can really feel the psychological effect of wanting the CD player to sound better. However, if I'm honest, I am confident I would have failed a blind test. I cannot describe any difference between the two - as such I do not believe I can quantify (I.e. hear) any difference.

Conclusion

In my situation there is no 'notable' sound quality difference between the two transports used in this test. If sound quality were the only consideration I would happily use either.

After thoughts

In practice, functionality is also important to me and the CD player wins on this hands down. My DVD player pauses in-between tracks, which to me would get really tiresome - especially where one track blends to another e.g. live albums.

I'm not fussed by the results, as I bought the CD player long before the DacMagic, which I specifically got for my computer.

I still believe there is benefit in getting a high quality source to minimise read errors etc, but to get a noticeable improvement may mean a need to move up to a midrange player. This remains my longer term goal.

Well there you go. As I said, take from this what you want. I hope you get something you are pleased with.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Manassas,

thanks a lot for the reply, and especially for the experiment.

Your experiment indicate that the quality of the DAC is more important than the quality of the transport. To be sure, i will audition them when i do the shopping (comparing a CD and DVD player looped to the DAC). My current DVD player plays CD continuously without pausing for a few seconds so it is OK for me.

And if a dedicated CD player indeed make a better sound during my shopping even trhough a DAC (transport factor), it will be the next upgrade for my budget system. Currently I will just buy the DAC magic for better sound when listening to music (and watching DVD).

regards,

 

[Anonymous]

newtohifijkt:

Your experiment indicate that the quality of the DAC is more important than the quality of the transport.

I wouldn't go that far, both are important. Just in my case the two budget transports I tested had no discernable difference in sound quality to my ears.

As you've said, if you can, do your own demos.

Best of luck with it - either way I'm sure you'll be pleased with whichever option - it should be a step up over your current set up for music.

By the way if you use the DAC for watching DVDs you will not be able to get surround sound only two channel.