OP
i listen to Classical Music exclusively so perhaps my input may be helpful. As others have explained here, yes you need a separate DAC? Are you sure, however, that you don’t want to listen to SACDs and/or Blu Rays? When I last looked, there were over 2500 classical titles on SACD, and several hundred Blu Rays. I own well over a 100 SACDs, on labels such as Pentatone, Channel Classics,
MDG, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra House Label, the Chicago Symphony House Label, and others. Most SACDs sound better, both in 2 channel and in Multichannel, than Redbook CDs.
I bought a Bryston BDA-3 DAC because it will accept the DSD from SACDs over HDMI from my transport. I know that you didn’t care for Bryston before and I get what you are saying but I wouldn’t describe the DAC as sounding like that. The Bryston also sounds excellent with Red Book and Computer Audio.
I would seriously consider a one box player that can play SACDs as well. Marantz still makes some and you might like the Marantz house sound, which tends to be warming. Onkyo is rumored to be coming out with a Universal Player and there are others at a variety of price points
i listen to Classical Music exclusively so perhaps my input may be helpful. As others have explained here, yes you need a separate DAC? Are you sure, however, that you don’t want to listen to SACDs and/or Blu Rays? When I last looked, there were over 2500 classical titles on SACD, and several hundred Blu Rays. I own well over a 100 SACDs, on labels such as Pentatone, Channel Classics,
MDG, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra House Label, the Chicago Symphony House Label, and others. Most SACDs sound better, both in 2 channel and in Multichannel, than Redbook CDs.
I bought a Bryston BDA-3 DAC because it will accept the DSD from SACDs over HDMI from my transport. I know that you didn’t care for Bryston before and I get what you are saying but I wouldn’t describe the DAC as sounding like that. The Bryston also sounds excellent with Red Book and Computer Audio.
I would seriously consider a one box player that can play SACDs as well. Marantz still makes some and you might like the Marantz house sound, which tends to be warming. Onkyo is rumored to be coming out with a Universal Player and there are others at a variety of price points