Im lucky enough to get Rega Isis reference player for a home demo in couple of days. I was wondering if people here have any previous experience about the player? I will post my own conclusion about it here but I would love hear what others have to say. Some reviews I found about it, seems that it could be a good one. But I am little spectical as the DAC seems so outdated to the modern requirements.
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Are you expecting it to be ‘better’ than your current CD player?
It might be different if it produces audible distortion, is it the model with valves stuck in it?
Keith
It might be different if it produces audible distortion, is it the model with valves stuck in it?
Keith
- Thread Starter
- #4
I dont have a cd player at the moment. Im looking to replace my Melco N100 streamer and I have been doing some home demos lately. At the moment I have Melco ND5 HDD version streamer at home for test purposes. But Im hoping it could be better then my Melco, its paired with Denon PMA-A110 amp. Its not the model with valve, its the one without.
There's really no need to do home demos of CD players. Pick one that you like the looks of and the remote/front panel controls at a good price.
Sound quality differences will be minimal to completely non-existent. They're not like speakers.
Sound quality differences will be minimal to completely non-existent. They're not like speakers.
JeremyFife
Major Contributor
Hi, and welcome.
Can I gently suggest that you read a few reviews of CD players from the review section. Take a good look at the comments too.
There's no value, other than personal preference, in spending big money on digital sources.
Your money, your system and your choice ... but make it an informed choice.
Good luck, and enjoy the music
Can I gently suggest that you read a few reviews of CD players from the review section. Take a good look at the comments too.
There's no value, other than personal preference, in spending big money on digital sources.
Your money, your system and your choice ... but make it an informed choice.
Good luck, and enjoy the music
it's not a pure digital source.Hi, and welcome.
Can I gently suggest that you read a few reviews of CD players from the review section. Take a good look at the comments too.
There's no value, other than personal preference, in spending big money on digital sources.
Your money, your system and your choice ... but make it an informed choice.
Good luck, and enjoy the music
That's not what a CD player does.
You are thinking of CD transports
Svend P
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Once you pass a (very low) bar, every DAC sounds the same
How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent?
I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...
www.audiosciencereview.com
But you do have CDs?
I am not sure I would buy a CD player at this point although CDs are pretty cheap, the Melco is just a streamer isn’t it ,so you have a DAC?
Keith
- Thread Starter
- #10
yeah I have tons of CDs laying around, I would like to spin em too every once in a while, even tho I have ripped them all
. Yeah my Denon amp has a DAC. But mostly im looking upgrade the DAC and the source.
‘Upgrade’ is just one of the great Hi-Fi lies, you could just buy an inexpensive optical transport, take the digital out into your Denon.
Actual sound quality improvement comes at the other end speakers and room.
Keith
Actual sound quality improvement comes at the other end speakers and room.
Keith
Talisman
Major Contributor
I realize you're new to the forum; you won't get much different answers than those you've already received.
Basically, neither a CD transport nor a DAC will have any issues, even at the lowest prices. Choose the one you like and with the features you need.
Basically, neither a CD transport nor a DAC will have any issues, even at the lowest prices. Choose the one you like and with the features you need.
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I own things like this because I like them, and choose to use them or tinker with them even though I can't hear the difference.
This would be in that category... There won't be an audible improvement. It might still be a fun thing to do.
Welcome. Stick around.
yeah I have tons of CDs laying around, I would like to spin em too every once in a while, even tho I have ripped them all
For €10,000 you want to be expecting this player to be a great transport with an absolutely stellar analogue output.
It will be intriguing to read how you feel it differs (if at all) sonically from the integrated one in your Denon amp.
All DACs are the same, etc. yet here we are on a site dedicated to testing them and getting vastly differing results so implementation is everything and for that money and product title (reference ) it's fair to expect that the implementation is also stellar.
I had a digital amp and a digital cd player (different brands) and I much prefered the DAC in the amp so only used the CD player as a transport as it had optical out.
The player was typical of cd players in that they are limited by the format and are a pig to use so I went to streaming and never looked back.
Your experience with this player will be interesting to read.
Honestly that’s a lot of money for a cd player. I bought a cheap Yamaha cd player recently, and use it as a transport. Very happy with this setup which cost about 1/30th of the rega and would likely have measurably better sound quality too.
Unless you love the aesthetics and build quality, I wouldn’t spend that much.
Unless you love the aesthetics and build quality, I wouldn’t spend that much.
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- Thread Starter
- #16
I did not find any measurements of the Rega Isis. I would appreciate it if you know where to find some.
MaxwellsEq
Major Contributor
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That's simply not the case. DACs have been largely identical since the 1990s and almost all variations are inaudible, assuming sensible implementation and the correct filter. There are measurable differences, but you can't hear them
Sorry my statement was more speculative. I don't know of any measurements regarding the Rega.
But is based on the Yamaha being measured as a ‘perfect’ transport (cd s303), and my DAC also measuring near SOTA (Topping DX5ii).
Perhaps you need to read more of the DAC reviews on this site. Especially the bad ones.
Or are you saying that those reviews are an utter waste of time and the recommendations (or not) are just folly?
MaxwellsEq
Major Contributor
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I've read the reviews. There are a small number of badly implemented DACs. But in the $100+ range, and often cheaper, it's been a solved problem for decades. If you read @NTTY reviews of CD players going back to the 1980s you can see this.
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