Better sounding CD music desired

[Francois1968]

There are 2 good options to make your cd's sound better. One is to buy a new stand alone cd player, The second one is to buy a nice dac.
In case you go for a cd player I suggest you audition the NAD 542. I haven't heard any player in this price range that sounded better.
A nice suggestion for the external dac is M-Audios super dac. If my information is correct you can buy it for less than 200$ in the USA (I paid over 300 Euro in the Netherlands).
I used this dac in combination with a NAD T-562 and I loved the sound.

[hmmmm]

There are 2 good options to make your cd's sound better. One is to buy a new stand alone cd player, The second one is to buy a nice dac.
In case you go for a cd player I suggest you audition the NAD 542. I haven't heard any player in this price range that sounded better.
A nice suggestion for the external dac is M-Audios super dac. If my information is correct you can buy it for less than 200$ in the USA (I paid over 300 Euro in the Netherlands).
I used this dac in combination with a NAD T-562 and I loved the sound.

I know absolutely nothing about dacs. So, if I have a Yamaha rxv-1400 and a Denon 2200 Universal DVD player, a separate dac would make a noticable difference? The speakers are Ar.coms in a 6.1 setup with a 15 inch sealed DIY Subwoofer.

[thepogue]

in my experience.

The latest experience with that issue was a recent upgrade of my transport. I picked up a used (of course) Rega Planet player made '00 to replace an older Parasound 100. I was running an older Adcom outboard DAC (with the Parasound) made in the late 80' maybe early 90's and I assumed that the onboard DAC of the Rega (which had been reviewed as having a decent sound/onboard DAC at it's price point) would replace the aging pair. To my surprise the Rega/Adcom combo bested the Rega alone. I swapped and shifted all the above and found the weakest to be the Parasound alone, then the Rega alone, then the Para/Adcom combo (by a very slight margin), then the Rega/Adcom. The steps/differences between were marginal but from first set-up to last there was a noticeable (3-5% maybe) difference improvement. So after all that blabbering...go pick up a used inexpensive DAC and check it out....if your not satisfied with the improvement for the price spent, resell (and recoup the $$) and call it a lesson! But remember the weakest link in your system should get the $$$ FIRST! And speakers from my experience get the most dramatic bang for buck as far as upgrading sound goes.

Pogue

I know absolutely nothing about dacs. So, if I have a Yamaha rxv-1400 and a Denon 2200 Universal DVD player, a separate dac would make a noticable difference? The speakers are Ar.coms in a 6.1 setup with a 15 inch sealed DIY Subwoofer.

[hmmmm]

"But remember the weakest link in your system should get the $$$ FIRST! And speakers from my experience get the most dramatic bang for buck as far as upgrading sound goes. "
Pogue


Are you saying my speakers aren't up to snuff?...
a tear drops into my cereal

Just kidding. Thanks for the advice. I might try finding a used dac and give it a try. I put too much time into building these speakers to replace them for now- it will happen within a year or so though.

[thepogue]

oh heck no...the DOGS gotta go first then!..lol

to be honest I didn't even look at that...my point was that in the scheme of things I seem greater difference in speakers than any other component, especially when you factor in the $$ spend...but my friend if you took the time effort and have the passion to build your own speakers...me hats off to you!! In fact Gonefishin' speakers are some of the finest I've seen...and I'm sure they sound just as awesome!!! The only thing I've ever build was a Peanut Butter Sandwich and I ate that...soooo I guess I'll just remain being a "Audio Vulture"...

Now no more tears fer breakfast...and pass the Jelly!
Pogue

"But remember the weakest link in your system should get the $$$ FIRST! And speakers from my experience get the most dramatic bang for buck as far as upgrading sound goes. "
Pogue


Are you saying my speakers aren't up to snuff?...
a tear drops into my cereal

Just kidding. Thanks for the advice. I might try finding a used dac and give it a try. I put too much time into building these speakers to replace them for now- it will happen within a year or so though.

[hermanv]

I know absolutely nothing about dacs. So, if I have a Yamaha rxv-1400 and a Denon 2200 Universal DVD player, a separate dac would make a noticable difference? The speakers are Ar.coms in a 6.1 setup with a 15 inch sealed DIY Subwoofer.

I have not heard your receiver, I did once own an all Denon separates system and I found it too bright and harsh for my tastes. The few Denon pieces I have heard all had this same sonic signature, which I can best describe as sounding "hot". All receivers I have ever heard using internal DACs did not compare to any good stand alone CD players or to sytems with external DACs.

I'm reluctant to trash all manufacturers of all in one boxes; but my guess is that there is so much going on inside the box that they fail to optimize each function independently. I've also felt for years that way too much energy and money was being spent on fancy multicolor bar graphs and other exotic display gee wizz stuff.

I think you will find that a well regarded CD only player or your player with a decent DAC will have smoother, more detailed and involving sound. The kind of sound that invites me at least, to turn down the lights, maybe a candle or two, some wine and a long listening session. Wow, some of those guys can really make music; this in a nutshell is difference between artistry and Pop.

Many audiophiles prefer separates instead of all in one designs, this is presumably because most of them think it sounds better. There is a second reason, with separates you can upgrade one piece at a time. While this may not be the wisest financial technique it does allow those of use with real world financial resources to buy truly high quality sound systems one piece at a time.

ps: One scary note, with separates you will have the pleasure of being introduced to the whole world of analog cables and the raging debates of what difference they make, may you survive unscathed

[Woochifer]

I know absolutely nothing about dacs. So, if I have a Yamaha rxv-1400 and a Denon 2200 Universal DVD player, a separate dac would make a noticable difference? The speakers are Ar.coms in a 6.1 setup with a 15 inch sealed DIY Subwoofer.

As I pointed out earlier, the benefit of using an external DAC depends on whether you're using the receiver's bass management to crossover the signal that goes to the subwoofer. If you listen to your CDs without the subwoofer, then you might benefit from an external DAC. With a subwoofer, you likely won't benefit at all from an external DAC because the bass management is all handled by your receiver.