Digital vs. Analog output for CD player?

[ralphmcw]

I'm sorry if this question is a bit stupid but I was wondering what the purpose of a high quality DAC in a CD player is when the signal can be output digitally and then handled by the DAC in the A/V reciever? I recently upgraded my old reciver that had only anolog inputs to a onkyo sr702 and was wondering if it would be better to upgrade my marantz CD player that only outputs an analog signal to something that has a digital out? If the digital out is good then what would be the purpose of an expensive DAC in a CD player as I would assume that any player could read the ones and zeros from the digital media and send them to the reciver just the same. Sorry again if this question is dumb as I am quite new at this home theater stuff.

[shokhead]

Analog to receiver uses DAC's in player and Dig to receiver uses Dac's in receiver. A good receiver and you might have to go abit on the player to get as good/better Dac's. I'm sure others will have better answers as i'm back from vac and recovering. LOL

[noddin0ff]

If the digital out is good then what would be the purpose of an expensive DAC in a CD player as I would assume that any player could read the ones and zeros from the digital media and send them to the reciver just the same.

All DACs are not created equal. The DAC accepts the digital (ones and zeros) information from the CD and creates an analog signal from that info then passes it on. The digital info represents points along a curve, the DAC interpolates the curve. Better DAC, better curve. The DAC also compensates for digital errors. Better DAC, better compensation.

A high quality DAC in a CD player or DVD player may do a better job than the DAC in a receiver. But it's often hard for the consumer to know what the better DAC is on paper. Most just have to listen to both and see which they like better.

[RGA]

All Dacs are not created equa and also not all output devices on cd players are created nor are the RCA ins on receivers created equal. Receivers have enough stuff slugging the sound quality that I'd probably use the digital out on the cd player (especially inexpensive cd players) and run the receiver's on board DAC.

Of course exceptions are abound so experimentation is always recommended. A cd player is to be considered a pre pre amp. The cd player has a preamp that sends a signal to a preamp, integrated or receiver. CD players may sound very much the same even if they use different dacs because they use cheap output stages. Thus I can see that using the digital output could improve a number of inexpensive systesm -- I have a $50.00 Aspire DVD player and using the digital out to My Marantz was much much improved. On a good cd player that would be quesitonable.