Looking for a DAC or upgrade CD player?

[Feanor]

Hi Feanor, I have imported some CDs on the PC using lossless format and then played both 192kbps and lossless music files. Indeed the last one sounds more airy and detailed.
I then compared lossless music files on the PC with the music played from a CD player and to my ears the CD still sound better.
I have to say that, because the PC is not in the same room of the audio system, the music on the PC is played via an AirExpress Wi-Fi network.
Might be that this passage affects the audio quality?
Would then make sense the installation of a DAC?
I've just found something about this topic. I'll post here the link and eventually hear some comments (I'm also curious to on feedback about the DAC mentioned in the article).

Using Apple's AirPort Express with a DAC: A how-to guide | Crave - CNET

Cheers.

Your CD player could very well sound better than the PC playback that you described. The AirExpress might or might not be the reason, nor the fact that the connection is wireless. A simple explanation would be that your CD player has a better DAC than the AirExpress but there could be other factors.

If you are content with your CD player sound and the mechanics of playing physical CDs then there is not reason to go to computer playback. On the other hand if you acknowledge that there could be advantages to the latter, then be assured that PC playback CAN sound as good as the CD player. Getting it that way can be a minor challenge.

[audio2]

Your CD player could very well sound better than the PC playback that you described. The AirExpress might or might not be the reason, nor the fact that the connection is wireless. A simple explanation would be that your CD player has a better DAC than the AirExpress but there could be other factors.

If you are content with your CD player sound and the mechanics of playing physical CDs then there is not reason to go to computer playback. On the other hand if you acknowledge that there could be advantages to the latter, then be assured that PC playback CAN sound as good as the CD player. Getting it that way can be a minor challenge.

Thanks for sharing your thinking and knowledge Feanor, this discussion helped me to understand and find clarity on the issue I originally posted.
Enjoy your music