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DAC as an upgrade

My CD player (Denon cdrw1500) has both coaxial and optical digital output jacks.

I'm wondering if there are any issues to be concerned about with using this with a separate DAC unit rather than the Denons built in DAC.

I'm thinking that this would be a practical first step to explore the advantages of different DAC technologies with my player for now and then even provide the option to add a separate transport if needed later.

I am not very familiar with digital connector technology commonly used in audio equipment these days, so I am mainly concerned to know what DAC digital interfaces are compatible with the the Denon outputs and the differences if relevant so as to identify a DAC that will work OK.

Thanks.

128x128mapman
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,341 posts
 
Meanwhile, right now I'm watching a Three Dog Night Live DVD playing on the Marantz DV-4200 DVD player in my separate 2 channel A/V system (vintage Yamaha receiver driving Triangle Titus 202 + M&K sub) and its sounding pretty sweet. Digital can be pretty darn good when done right.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
It really can be. If you haven't heard the new audio codecs on Blu Ray (or HD DVD), it's simply remarkable (True HD Master Audio, etc). I never realized dolby digital was compressed until we upgraded to Blu Ray. I hope for some nice Blu ray converts in the future.

Enjoy your music.
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,341 posts
 
Blu Ray is an interesting technology to keep an eye on.

Can it do for digital audio what it does for video? I would have to think so.

HD DVD isn't going anywhere at this point, is it?

I wonder if there is an audio only format in the works for Blu Ray? That could be something.
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,341 posts
 
I'm getting some good tips here and on some other threads regarding various DACs to consider.

BEl CAnto and Musical Fidelity are some of the names I am familiar with that seem viable for me and worth considering. Some other lesser known specialized vendors like BEnchmark seem to have some very good feedback as well.

I've even seen a few older DCS units not too far beyond the price range I would consider. I've heard newer DCS gear recently and would probably have to consider that my reference at this point.

Need to do some more research, but I'm thinking an experiment with an outboard DAC could well be in my immediate future.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Mapman - external DACs can play pretty much anything in up to 24bit/192kHz delivered by SPDIF or USB (Benchmark). CDs might be replaced in future by downloads to hard drive bypassing unforunate redbook CD format with limitation of 44kHz carrier. Many DVD players can also play Audio DVD and SACD (converted to SPDIF) and even HDCD. External DAC opens many possibilities and makes you independant from transport/source. Quality of dedicated external DAC is higher - just show me CD player with measured -140dB signal to noise ratio (Benchmark).

Most of CD players use mute clamping circuit on the output (to mute gaps) that is affecting sound quality. External DACs do in digital processing.
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