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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
petaluman
151 posts
 

"Old Mac" is probably the weak link.  As suggested, try the CDP direct to your external DAC.  If you're satisfied with the resulting sound, you'll only need to replace your streamer.

djbarabino OP
3 posts
 

I don’t understand how the old computer impacts the sound quality

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

I don’t understand how the old computer impacts the sound quality

bigkidz
3,382 posts
 

Not surprised - the old Marantz stuff was really nice.  - we still have a Marantz CD-94 in our listening room and people are amazed wen they hear it compared to the new stuff.  You mention a $300 product.  We cannot even find a chassis for $300 to install parts so IMO how can that product be basically any good or offer an improvement in sound quality.

 

Happy Listening

moonwatcher
448 posts
 

PCs and MACs are generally terribly electrically noisy devices. They weren’t designed for high end audio at all. Like others, I suspect your MAC being used as a streamer via USB is your weakest link here. You might find streaming even via an iPAD to be "better". Just beware the iFi Stream. The current version has known bad and frustrating Wi-Fi connection issues that have NOT been worked out yet. Many love how it sounds - when it works. I’m hoping iFi will come out with a "Mark 2" version one day with these issues fixed. I’d much rather buy one to feed an external DAC than a Bluesound Node.

You never mention what DAC you have...Maybe a Geshelli Labs J2? Or Schiit Audio Modius or one of the ubiquitous Chinese DACs from Topping or S.M.S.L.?

In any event do know that some Chinese delta-sigma DACs do err on the thin side of sound to give a fake impression of detail, but that is slowly changing. Some may actually like that presentation. To each their own.

For $79 you might try a WiiM Mini Streamer to replace the MAC (using optical into your DAC). It would be a cheap way to eliminate the noisy computer at least, and you could always repurpose it for use in another room or garage system.

Or as Paul McGowan suggests in the video posted above, try using Bit Perfect on it, if you aren’t, to eliminate all that Apple nonsense about futzing with the audio, i.e. screwing it up.

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