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On the back of my cd player there is a single RCA-socket marked 'digital output'. There are not two. Is this because one digital signal carries both channels, pending its resolution into two by the DAC? ie, can I use this cd player as transport, running the signal via that one cable to an external DAC? (Background: At last it is time to think of upgrading the cd player. For the time being, I thought I'd use my existing one as a transport, if possible, and get hold of a good DAC.)
Follow Ups:
Not only are the 2 channels of info encoded in one data stream , so is a WHOLE host of other information , like flags which set various digital options , clock timing etc.
You can use a offboard DAC , however the improvements might not be as dramatic as you expect , part of the sonics are governed by the Tranport itself and if this is not up to snuff you basically are trying to improve a sub-standard signal (garbage in garbage out- as linn would say), bear in mind a dac will also cost you a decent digital cable($100 or so) , and these are not all equal.
I think you will realise more benefit in the long run by upgrading to either both a better transport and dac or a superior single box unit.
Incremental upgrades (like a new dac , a new cable etc) generally work out MORE expensive then biting the bullet and shelling out the clams for the unit you want , as the incremental upgrades never seem to end and all those "small" amounts you spend to get the perfect sound from what you have tend to add up very quickly.
There are various arguments advanced for either a singel box or multiple box solution , I like a multiple box solution as it enables one to add digital processors to modify the sonics prior to the dac (room correction , digital equalisation , anti jitter , upsamplers and so forth)
The single box solution means one is stuck with what one has , but issues like jitter etc are minimised.
Rodney Gold
Thanks for the detailed reply. The Audio Note DAC (kit) plus their 0-transport runs approximately £1100 ($1800). Is there a one-box CD player you think beats that? (this could include players with modifications, as many people do with Sony or Marantz, from what I read). (this is for you too, Elizabeth!).
Rodney,What would you consider a decent digital cable for $100?
Thanks,
Sean
.. you put a post in the wrong spot in the thread, making it harder for people to see that they've been responded to? Whoops! See the post above, it was supposed to be reply to you.
Im not really sure , there have been some posts in digital on this subject , Perhaps a used Kimber illuminatti?
I use mainly Kimber illuminatti D60 or their AEs orchids and have picked up a D60 at $130 and an orchid at $200 , I have an audioquest Digital Pro which would be less than $100 used and its pretty decent.
At Steven Rochlins site there is a DIY cable (the max rochlin memorial cable ) which is reputed to cost less than $30 or so and has been praised)
Rodney Gold
The single output from your CD player is most likely to be an RCA "SPDIF" out for adding an aftermarket D/A converter. On "AudiogoN" or other sites, are LOTS of used D/A convertors for 1/3 to 1/4 the original price. Adcom GDA600's are under $200 for example (they listed for $750 new back in 1994) Don't spend a lot on a used D/A, the technology is changing so rapidly with upsampling etc that ANY used D/A is going to be outdated (compared to new "HIGH-END") soon enough.
Sorry I am normally just such a cheapskate... I try to tell myself buying a pile of cheap bits will never be as good as a single really good item.
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