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newbie DAC question

Hello!

I broke into the HiFi world about two years ago and l would love to know if a DAC would improve my system in a way that's worth my while. I currently have the following setup:

- Elac Debut B6s
- Music Hall A15.2 integrated
- Onkyo C7030 CD player
- Sextet and Bel interconnnects borrowed from a buddy
- Speakers are on stands carefully placed where they work best with the carpeted room.

I've read good reviews on the Musical Fidelity V90DAC and several Schiit models, but I can't determine, based on any literature out there, if my setup is at a level that would make a DAC worthwhile (or even noticeable). If it WOULD make a difference, does anyone have any suggestions for coaxial or optical interconnnects to go along with it?

Thank you much!
kremrik
kremrik OP
18 posts
 
@yage thanks for the recommendation! I just bought a coax from Blue Jeans and an open box Musical Fidelity V90Dac so we'll see if I can see an improvement
kremrik OP
18 posts
 
So I bought a Blue Jeans Cable Belden 1694A Coax, RCA terminated at both ends. I've heard some people say that coax is inferior to optical. Thoughts? Or is it one of those things that's endlessly debated with no concrete conclusion?
yage
400 posts
 
Well, if there's any truth to the conventional wisdom, then it seems that coax is the better interface, which they basically say exhibits less jitter. Personally, I haven't had to use either as I like my one-box universal player.
edincleve's avatar
edincleve
27 posts
 
Hi kremrik

You should have had your Musical Fidelity V90 DAC for a couple weeks by now.

What are you playing through it, and how does it sound?

Yage said "...a DAC connected to your CD player would make a noticeable difference in your system."

I'm  not sure what he meant unless you have a digital output from the Onkyo C7030 CD player. If so, have you tried to use the V90 DAC instead of the built-in DAC?

Also, have you tried playing the same music with the CD Player and the DAC? You could rip the CD, and then play the WMA or FLAC through the DAC, and compare the two.

Btw, this is my equipment:

Speakers - Elac B6
CD Player - NAD C 516BEE CD Player
Preamplifier - Parasound Halo P5
Power Amplifier - Rotel RB-1080

kremrik OP
18 posts
 
@edincleve I am so sorry I didn't see this earlier. I have been playing my entire (small) CD collection through it for a while now, as well as a Chromecast Audio streaming Spotify's premium "extreme quality". I did notice a decent difference with the V90 DAC, although it was entirely based on memory... However, I played my most familiar CD's that I knew extremely well. I wouldn't say it was an EXTREME difference, but the differences I noted were things like: bass was smoother and more distinct; highs were crisper; vocals were more realistic; things like that. Things you'd balk at if you were a cynic like me, but then realize the difference for yourself.

Also, I'm using my CDP's coax output to my DAC. I've also no way to do a direct comparison, so I regrettably can't do an A/B comparison...  
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