Comparing external DAC to CD player DAC

My 30+ year old Sony CDP-2700 sounded better than most current players.  I was very sad when it died last year. I replaced it with an Audiolab CDT6000 and  Denafrips Pontus ll DAC. The reason I went with separates was so I could use the DAC with most any streamer or any CD player/transport.

@djbarabino 

Oh I forgot to ask.  What is your price range?

Well I heard my first streamer setup that would run with an upper middle end cd player yesterday. It was a 3000 dollar cayin  that had 5000 Woirth of upgrade parts put into it. So I finally  heard something  I could live with.you likely just have to realize your old player is better that the new dac you have. Be happy that you are getting better sound quality  without spending more. Congratulations!  Go listen to or buy an upper middle end player or above from the late 1990s you will be shocked. Look at players that retailed for at least 5000 dollars back in the day.

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I have been using a well-known, inexpensive ($300), and well regarded DAC with an old MAC as a music server.

Yuck   That sucks  

I recently pulled out my old CD player, a Marantz CD-67se: an "oldie but a goodie".  The CD player with its onboard, 20+year old DAC is far superior to what I am experiencing with the external DAC, from any source..  Is this expected.

No wonder.  It’s not as much an “oldie but a goodie” and more an “older and less baddie.”  The Marantz no doubt sounds more lush and full while your current streaming setup probably sounds relatively thin amped threadbare by comparison.  My advice, buy something like one of the newer R2R DACs like the Gustard R26, Musician Pegasus, etc. (whatever meets your budget) and I think you’ll get the benefits of the Marantz but with much better upper-level detail and air that Marantz tends to roll off IME.  Also, with streaming everything matters and streaming directly outta your MAC, uh, sucks.  Get a dedicated streamer like an iFi Zen Stream or, at the very least, get a noise reducer like the iFi Purifier 3 if you continue to use your computer.  Hope this helps, and best of luck. 

"Old Mac" is probably the weak link.  As suggested, try the CDP direct to your external DAC.  If you're satisfied with the resulting sound, you'll only need to replace your streamer.