I currently use my PS3 as a CDP and was thinking about getting the Marrantz 6003 (£300)........I'm also considering buying a DAC (Beresford/DACMAGIC) to see if this improves the PS3 performance, although I'm not sure if my AV amp will re-code the DAC....
I still have a CD63. I can't imagine a PS3 could possibly be better than the marantz. Not much good to play games on mind. For £45 you can't go wrong (assuming its semi ok)
Well, if you want hi-res audio plus fan noise that is... Sorry, I'm just not a fan of the PS3 as an audio source. If you want hi-res even the entry level Sony SCD-XE597 will out-perform the PS3.
Not if you want HD Audio, which is as distinct from SACD, which is all the Sony can do. Likewise, for Blu-Ray Audio. As for fan noise, well, it's compromise again! There isn't a better entertainment machine out there right now at the price (and which is coming down still).
Best machine for CD alone though, of the two mentioned, the Marantz by the usual country mile!
not sure any above had answered your question about the amp dac. You would be taking inters to the amp so the amp would not be getting a digital signal so there would nothing for the dac to do. the dac on the amp is only used on optical/hdmi/coax in not rca etc. I would say get a dac if possible i think it would improve the ps3 and you caould load your cds on and make playlists up. But for 45 euros that sounds a bargin.
just listened to the 6003 at home, definately an improvement on the PS3: cymbals sound clearer and crisp, bass/kick drums more prominent and sound more detailed. Is it a big difference? no, and probably not worth the extra £300 +cables.
Will I upgrade? possibly not, more than likely to stick with the PS3 or demo a DAC.
If you didnt think there was much difference between your PS3 and the Marantz CDP then your ears are working for you
Deffo agree with demo'ing a DAC as I thinbk you'd get similar results but for less cost.
TBH if youre after big changes I think you'd need to spend more than the Marantz gear to get massive improvements but the rest of your gear would have to play part in that too.
I do think that if you went for the Rega Apollo, NAD C545BEE or maybe an Arcam CD192 via eBay and the likes; you'd notice a difference in sound that would be worth while covering the cost.
Your amp and speakers would benefit from the upgrade.
funny that, I was thinking exactly the same when I was listening tonight - trouble is, I rarely listen to music via the amp so not sure if I can justify spending £500 on the cd player. Not going to bother with the dac route.
I like the look of the arcam - any ideas where I could pick up a second hand one?