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Have DAC’s improved for Redbook CD playback?

So I’m contemplating getting a new DAC or DAC-pre. I own an Oppo BDP-83SE player, a Theta DS Pro Basic IIIA DAC and a Logitech Trandporter. I still use my DAC unit’s for Redbook playback.

Have DAC’s improved for Redbook CD playback?
128x128celander
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
The distortion and S/N of modern D/A chips is much improved over that of 10 years ago.
Yes, that may have improved with Delta Sigma, but they sound bland, and musically disconnected.

Proof is in what mahler123 heard in his above post compared to the old PS Digital Link MkIII.
We all know that amps can be vanishingly low in distortion just by dumping a s**t load of global feedback around them, and that totally stuffs up the sound. BUT HEY! IT MEASURES WELL!! so it must sound better?? not likely.
Compared to a little local feedback instead as Nelson Pass, Dan Agostino ect ect ect do.

Cheers George

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audioengr
3,282 posts
 

"Yes, that may have improved with Delta Sigma, but they sound bland, and musically disconnected."

Have you ever heard an Overdrive DAC?

I think you have not heard the best DAC's yet.  This is not so much about the D/A chip, but the entire design and implementation.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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