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Comparing external DAC to CD player DAC

I have been using a well-known, inexpensive ($300), and well regarded DAC with an old MAC as a music server.  I also stream TIDAL masters and use the CD transport through the server, all going through the external DAC.   I recently pulled out my old CD player, a Marantz CD-67se: an "oldie but a goodie".  The CD player with its onboard, 20+year old DAC is far superior to what I am experiencing with the external DAC, from any source..  Is this expected.  I am not opposed to purchasing a new external DAC, but i really don't want to spend thousands of dollars to reproduce sound I can get from a 20 year old CD player.  What am i missing? Could I be I doing something wrong, or could my external DAC be malfunctioning.

djbarabino
chayro
2,985 posts
 

Nothing is wrong. You simply prefer one dac to another. Age is irrelevant. People often prefer vinyl records, which is a much older technology than any digital. You can certainly try another modern dac, but you still may prefer the marantz. BYW, some of today’s most prized dacs use old dac chips, because many believe they sound better. 

mesch
3,481 posts
 

Some of the CD players made around the year 2000 were very good. Much better than those produced upon the arrival of the CD.

You are comparing a computer used as a streamer/transport into a budget DAC against a true transport/DAC built to be compatible towards a sound signature  you seem to prefer. 

tomcarr
1,504 posts
 

+1 @mesch 

auroravengeance's avatar
auroravengeance
134 posts
 

The good news is that entry level high-end DACs are not that expensive now. 

Try either Gustard A18, Denafrips Ares II, or Musician Pegasus. Any of these should give a noticeable improvement in sound quality, and then you can decide if you would like to spend more on better DACs.  

elliottbnewcombjr
5,376 posts
 

after my search, my conclusion is that it is a SALAD: dac(s); upscaling; re-clocking; filters; anti-jitter; proprietary this and that ....

prefer, not better is the way I think about it.

trust your ears, and any friends ears you trust.

After research and asking advice I went thru 9 different players, found one low cost changer, no SACD (Onkyo Integra CDC-3.4), and finally old Sony xa5400es for CDs and SACDs.

Using computer’s USB to DAC is far superior to using Headphone Jack for simple streaming. Inexpensive Topping D10s sounds great.

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