2. digital
  3. 181040-165082

CD Player - Dgital Out on Onkyo C-7030

Does anyone know if the spdif output on this CD player by-pass the internal dack on the player? I rarely use it, as the sound is poor compared to CD to Flac files downloaded on my hard drive. I am wondering if the purchase of a CD transport would improve the sound quality of playing CD's. Sometimes I just want to play a CD.

128x128pooch2
soix
8,822 posts
 

Yes, but you’ll need an external DAC to plug it into. The good news is you should hear a marked improvement over what you’re getting now. If you need/want recommendations just share what sound characteristics are most important to you and what improvements you’re looking for along with your budget and if you want new or used and you’ll get a lot of good help here.  Would also help if you could mention the rest of the equipment in your system.

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,508 posts
 

SPDIF out ALWAYS bypasses any internal DAC. Do you understand what a DAC is?

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

The OP needs a DAC! Keep and use the Onkyo as a transport until it dies!

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

The Onkyo will function fine as a transport. Digital is not like Analog, where paying more for better mechanical build quality gets you better sound. Bits are just bits, whether they come from an older CD player, DVD player or a new $1K transport. 

More to discover