cd player with usb

[nandac]

i think a lot of us are trying to move to computer based audio and so are interested in a dac.

previously we used cd players.

how about a cd player with a usb port which can be used to play both cds and audio files on your computer (through usb)?

i think teac has one : Amazon.com: TEAC CD-P650 CD and USB Recorder with Remote (Black): Electronics

any other options?

 

[iaudio]

Cd6003 from Marantz is another option.
But these cant be used to play from your computer afaik, only from pen drive.

You will need something like ayon cd1s, audiolab 8200 etc which will actually take a digital input from a computer

 

[reignofchaos]

Ayon CD-1s doesn't have USB. It has only coax. The updated CD-1sc does have USB. However having tested the usb implementation in the CD-2s, I'd rather have coaxial over ayon's usb implementation based on the Tenor TE7022 chipset.

As for audiolab, I've never heard it so can't comment.

 

[musicbee]

For the price of some of the equipment mentioned here (Ayon, Audiolab) one could assemble a state of the art PC with the latest Intel i7 processor, 16GB RAM, SSD HDD, GFX, Asus Xonar STX and also be able to throw in more.

I have Asus Xonar Essence STX and M1 DAC and both are excellent VFM DACs. If budget is not a constraint then the W4S DAC-2 is an excellent option.

 

[iaudio]

Roc, I only mentioned it can take digital input.
Musicbee, but then you would lose out on the simplicity of popping in a cd and hitting play!

 

[musicbee]

Musicbee, but then you would lose out on the simplicity of popping in a cd and hitting play!

LOL! Cannot argue with that. My mom still prefers the old Sony CDP over any of the new gadgets I've tried to introduce to her like the PS3, PC, etc.

 

[kaushik]

USB interface and ipod interface produce way too bad sound Q in dennon CDP i demoed .
low cost cdps will not do magic from USB

That feature should not be in checklist for mid budget setups unless the CDP will be operated by wify or female partners in the team.

 

[reignofchaos]

For the price of some of the equipment mentioned here (Ayon, Audiolab) one could assemble a state of the art PC with the latest Intel i7 processor, 16GB RAM, SSD HDD, GFX, Asus Xonar STX and also be able to throw in more.

I have Asus Xonar Essence STX and M1 DAC and both are excellent VFM DACs. If budget is not a constraint then the W4S DAC-2 is an excellent option.

Yep you could do that but whats the point? None of these low end soundcards and dacs either have the tonal purity or the PRAT of the Ayon. Its like comparing chalk to cheese.

For using a PC as a transport, you'd want something that is quiet, has super low noise over USB and enough horsepower to be able to decode FLAC in realtime. All these things can be done by even an atom CPU.

 

[jaudere]

I use Philips DVD player with a USB input as transport which feeds the DAC through coaxial out. I am happy with the result.

About computer audio, Netbook with a portable optical drive is a good option. My atom netbook is connected to X fi USB . From X fi USB, optical out is given to DAC.Works pretty well. The battery goes for at least 8-9 hours if music is played from hard drive.

The netbook/computer based system may not be as easy as popping in a CD but it gives great flexibility of creating a fresh playlist each time and that too very fast ,depending on mood. Searching through hundreds of CDs is also cumbersome (unless someone is very meticulous about how CDs are segregated), whereas you can search the song you like in a breeze on comp.

 

[musicbee]

Yep you could do that but whats the point? None of these low end soundcards and dacs either have the tonal purity or the PRAT of the Ayon. Its like comparing chalk to cheese.

For using a PC as a transport, you'd want something that is quiet, has super low noise over USB and enough horsepower to be able to decode FLAC in realtime. All these things can be done by even an atom CPU.

Must make that trip to Bangalore to listen to Ayon. At least to have an idea how much of a tonal purity it offers.

I've heard many DACs and use the M1 DAC along with Asux Xonar STX myself. I'm not talking about stacking this combo against the Ayon but how would a W4S DAC-2 compare with the Ayon?

I heard the W4S DAC-2 extensively and for somebody with that budget I think it makes more sense to go with a PC with all the frills like an SSD, i7, 16 GB RAM, etc. and get the W4S DAC-2 instead of an Ayon... unless of course the Ayon will beat this combo silly. If so then no arguments. But if the Ayon does not exactly triumph then the PC combo would still work out cheaper and also think of the huge advantages associated with having an entire music collection ripped and tagged with immediate & easy access at any time.

Unless the Ayon offers something that no other DAC can match in terms of SQ... I still see no point in going for a CD player with a USB. A PC will always offer more functionality.

 

[sidvee]

Must make that trip to Bangalore to listen to Ayon. At least to have an idea how much of a tonal purity it offers.

IMO the Ayons would compare favorably to stand alone DAC's in the $2.5k range and above. I recently heard a Prism Orpheus DAC, and I believe it is a much better DAC than my ayon cd2s. Price of the Prism approx. $5.5k. More analog sounding than the Ayon's DAC IMO.
Cheers,
Sid