Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

Yes, both can be great. But if choosing just one, we agree — Chanel wins. 

If you see or hear of a used CD player that you think would be good for not a lot of money, let me know. 

If you see or hear of a used CD player that you think would be good for not a lot of money, let me know.

Hi Rinpoche,

The Aeris DAC does not provide any analog inputs, so until and unless you purchase a preamp you would want to connect a digital output of the CD player to a digital input of the DAC. Or, alternatively, you could consider purchasing a CD transport, which would not include a digital-to-analog converter function and would only provide digital outputs.

It seems that in more situations than not a coaxial S/PDIF digital connection provides better sonics than a Toslink connection, although that is certainly not always the case. The Aeris provides BNC connectors for its coaxial S/PDIF inputs, while most CD players and transports (especially in the lower parts of the price spectrum) provide those signals on RCA connectors. But BNC/RCA adapters are readily available inexpensively, and can provide fine results.

Best regards,
-- Al

rinpoche,

If at the moment you want to minimize the outlay of cash but still get a capable cd transport to use now, a consideration might be a Cambridge CXC, or maybe an Oppo player;  can always upgrade to a PS Audio Perfectwave Transport or the like when it makes sense to you to do so. In the meantime you'd get to use your cd collection. 

Okay, just hearing this all makes me a bit nervous. I think I will stick to the plan and develop the system one by one. Preamp then CD -- but thanks for letting me bounce the idea around to get a feel for it. Sometimes it just helps to hear things back. 

Oppo 105D Blu ray player should be quite good. It is about $1300. Or better Marantz perhaps.