How can I tell if I need a better clock for my DAC?

I suspect a lot of new dacs sound better than your Cambridge but it doesn't have to do with just jitter.

Thanks for the additional references on dacs -- that's a good start!  As for the quoted comment, @headphonedreams may be right about that, but it leads to a more basic question.  By my standards, the Cambridge is a fairly expensive (and well-reviewed) unit, but the sound it gives to a Redbook CD doesn't compete with that of my more modest phono (Technics SL-D2 with a Nagoka MP-110).  Can I expect to get comparable sound quality with a CD player and DAC, without spending well over $1000, or is this the unavoidable result of the 44/16 format?

Sorry that first 75ohm bnc plug link, was a bnc to rca adapter, not a plug. what I meant to put up was this.

 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images2000x2000/Comprehensive_BP_2C7559P_BP2C7559P_75_Ohm_Male_2...


Cheers George

By my standards, the Cambridge is a fairly expensive (and well-reviewed) unit, but the sound it gives to a Redbook CD doesn’t compete with that of my more modest phono (Technics SL-D2 with a Nagoka MP-110). Can I expect to get comparable sound quality with a CD player and DAC, without spending well over $1000, or is this the unavoidable result of the 44/16 format?

A confirmed analog guy, I have learned, but only within the past year, that Redbook CD can be as good (if not exactly the same) as a very good vinyl set-up. With more consistency as well as the usual digital advantages, digital has come a long, long way.

I also learned a long time ago that "well reviewed" in the audio press means practically nothing. Better to spend some time and energy on the forums. This one and head-fi and computer audiophile, for ex.

I did 2 things that brought my CD listening to a higher level than I ever thought possible. One cost a bit of money; one cost me nothing.

First I sourced a high performing DAC* directly from China. Not very expensive from my point of view, but still just a bit more than you may want to spend. But I think one can do well for less. Second, rather than use a CDP, I ripped all of my CDs to a portable hard disk which I had hanging around and played them through my (also hanging around) laptop directly into the DAC (easiest if the DAC has a USB input). Sound is better than using my Oppo to play disks through the new DAC.  Also, using JRIver I can control my digital listening entirely from my phone.

*And yes it has a femtoclock, in fact three of them.

@melm — thanks for your advice. I tried ripping to hard drive, but could not hear any improvement. I may have to go with your higher cost option — mind sharing which DAC you bought?