Nothing wrong with your CD player. If you are using analog cables from the CD player, (which uses the CD player's Burr Brown DAC, not sure of the model number), experiment with coax and then optical connections to the amp to see if you prefer the sound from either using the DAC in the Yamaha, (Burr-Brown PCM5102A).Yamaha AS-701 Stereo Amp
Yamaha CD-S300 CD PLayer
Pioneer SP-FS52 Floor Standing Speakers
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers.
That is my set up. I don't always use both sets of speakers at the same time, but even when I do, they sound fine together. Maybe because they were both made by Andrew Jones and I think the materials are pretty much the same. However I would like an upgrade in my set up. So I was thinking of upgrading my CD Player first to something like the Onkyo C7000r or something around the 1k dollar mark. Or I could upgrade my speakers. I was thinking of something between the Revel Concerta M16, Dynaudio Emit M10, Bowser&Wilkins 606, Monitor Audio Silver 50. If I go with the speakers, I would like to add their Floor Stander equivalents by Christmas time. What dyou guys think? Upgrade the CD player or the speakers? What will give me the most improvement in sound quality? And if it is the speakers, which ones should I go for? Feel free to recommend other speakers than those if you think they are better and that they dont exceed 1200 dollars. Thanks in advance and ill come back to chime in with you.
My Yamaha has this---->Burr-Brown PCM5102ANothing wrong with your CD player. If you are using analog cables from the CD player, (which uses the CD player's Burr Brown DAC, not sure of the model number), experiment with coax and then optical connections to the amp to see if you prefer the sound from either using the DAC in the Yamaha, (Burr-Brown PCM5102A).
Of course as they are both Burr Brown DACs with the same 24-bit/192kHz spec they could be identical.
Maybe contact Yamaha and ask which has the higher quality DAC and if they are identical, then don't bother trying the different inputs.
Crutchfield carries all the speakers you are interested in; just $10/box return on bookshelves within 60 days.
Paradigm is only available via the few brick and mortar dealers out there.Oh and yes I have tried using a coaxial cable. It sounded different, tighter but not as focused, colder if you will. I liked it, but I think I prefer the analogue cables. I saw some Paradigm towers which I liked. The Monitor SE 6000F. I like how they look since I can get them in white and I am trying to color match as much as possible. For some reason that brand does not really get mentioned in these circles, is there a reason why? I was under the impression that Paradigm was reputable like Definitve, Monitor, Wharferdale etc etc.
Is the "CD Direct" mode on the Yamaha AS 701 analog?My Yamaha has this---->Burr-Brown PCM5102A
That Onkyo has this though --->Separate TI Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs (PCM1792 x 2) for L/R Channels
Ive read that if you are going to upgrade from an entry player you best go with something that has two DACs. That two will make a good difference. And no there is nothing wrong with the CD Player but I want better sound.
