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Is there any cheap and easy way to test the sound of a cd player with stock DAC vs the player with an aftermarket DAC?
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This is not exactly an answer to your question, but I will post comparison between a CD player and computer+DAC.
The signal played was 1,002.27 Hz 0 dBFS square wave. (CBS CD-1 track 16, R&S UPL.)
Benchmark DAC1 HDR
192k/24b DAC, Remote-Controlled Preamp and Headphone Amp
MADE IN USA
© 2012 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.
Unbalanced output spectrum at 2.8V nominal peak, 1 kHz square-wave via iTunes via USB. (CBS CD-1 track 16.)
http://kenrockwell.com/audio/benchmark/dac1-hdr.htm
Sony CDP-X303ES
Compact Disc Player (1993-1995)
© 2014 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/sony/cdp-x303es.htm
Yes. Don't bother.
Unless the ext. DAC is extraordinary (and then its possibly cost prohibitive), an external DAC may provide some sonic benefit or it may not.
But if you think about adding one more chassis containing a power supply that must deal with noisy AC and one more chassis capturing unwanted vibrations (air-borne and internally by the power supply), the additional cabling, additional connections, additional shelving and space requirements, why bother?
I suggest focusing your hard-earned dollars in a single CDP that suffices all by its lonesome. Less is truly more.
Connect your cd player via the digital out to your dac, then connect your dac to a line level input on your preamp/integrated.
Next, connect your cd player directly to your preamp/integrated to the cd or any line level input.
Now, switch back and forth between the two. Be sure to take into account any volume difference between the two as that can significantly alter your perception.
I was a vegetarian for 15 minutes, until the main course.......Meat; It's the right thing to do. Romans 14:2
say a digi cable to the cd player that the other outputs are shorted out and can't be used...??
...one more thing - it's best if you can adjust the volume of the two as closely as possible when comparing.
I have a Theta Digital Compli Universal player that I use to play Cds, DVD-Audio, and SACD. I also have an Audio Research DAC7 connected to the Theta, so mainly use the Theta as a transport. I prefer listening to Cds and DVD-A discs through the AR DAC7 vs. through the Theta Compli using it's internal DAC(s) 100% of the time. Since the AR DAC7 cannot decode DSD from SACD discs, I listen to SACD multi-channel using the Theta Compli with 5.1 analog outs to my receiver. That being said, I also still prefer the CD layer of a hybrid SACD disc played through the AR DAC7 compared to the 2-channel SACD layer played through the Theta Compli's internal DAC. The sound between the CD layer (of the SACD) played through the DAC7 vs. the SACD 2-channel layer played through the Theta is very close, but I think the AR DAC7 brings a little more analog-like sound with a slightly more rich presentation with more depth to the sound stage.
Hope this helps.
"An ounce of perception, a pound of obscure." - Neil Peart
Thanks! for sharing -ionman.
I have my eye on this Theta spinner. Also good to learn about it pairing w/ an ARC DAC. If you have any other tip(s) on this combo, feel free to contact me.
Listen to all components in your system.
If your CDP has a coax out, you can run a coax cable from it to the DAC, and if you have a remote for your preamp/receiver, you can then put in a CD and switch back and forth between them immediately. I had to go into my players setup to turn on the coax output though. Hope that helps.
Best Regards,
Lou
Agreed! However, he should try turning off the dac when listening to the CD player alone. I have found that this can make a big difference when comparing CD players.
Dave
If your memory is bad (or even if it's not), the very best way, in my opinion, is listen to both components within your own system, in your own your own listening room. Some audio shops will let you take a product home for a short period before committing to a purchase, although those are becoming rare it seems. Cheap, but perhaps not so easy, especially with loudspeakers.Even you can't audition at home before purchasing, then make sure that you may return the units for a full refund after purchasing. Either way, you would be able to audition them in your own system at home. The problem then becomes the practical limitations of choosing only one or two components to so audition. Not cheap or easy, but that is how it goes.
If you want to be satisfied with your purchase for a good while, you really need to audition a component within your own system, within your own listening room. I've made expensive mistake by purchasing based on company reputation, or on the opinion of commercial reviewers. Trust what YOU hear, and what gives YOU musical enjoyment.
_
Ken Newton
Edits: 11/20/14 11/20/14
You just have to listen. That's about as cheap as it gets depending on the price you place on your listening time. ;-)
n/t
If your short term memory is bad then listen to several of you favorite cd's with the cd player and then with your dac. Did you enjoy listening to one over the other? then that is the one to buy. If there is no preference look further for a dac that does make a difference
Alan
It may be much easier to remember how you feel during listening, rather that what you hear. Either way, I have found that how I feel is the most important aspect of listening to music.
This is a very important point. I judge equipment based on my emotional connection to the music
Alan
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