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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
 
OR more reasonably, I should probabably say things are sounding near perfect TO MY EARS!

The more I listen,, the faster I always come back to the conclusion that in the end, other than having decent components that work well together as a system, all that really matters otherwise is what sounds good to each individual.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Mapman, if you're not hearing glare or haze and you can listen for hours on end, then you've got a fine setup. The fact that a small move of the speakers made a significant difference to you tells me that you're really tuned into small distortions. If those are removed, then a system change can make things sound "different" but it becomes agureable if they're "better." That's for you to decide. I think you've gone about this logically and reached an appropriate conclusion.

Dave
istanbulu
291 posts
 
Hi everyone,

I'd like to suggest just for the fun of it and for the seriousness of it a link to ponder the psychology of the audio and music experience...

this link is in three parts....

it's thought provoking and, yeah, a little provoking to our usual assumptions about many things audio, musical, and pyscho-acoustical... happy reading!

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue36/belt.htm
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,341 posts
 
Istanbulu,

Interesting article. Lots of truths.

All the factors that go into good sound or perception of good sound, except $$$s, are very hard to quantify meaningfully and I believe no two people ever really hear exactly the same thing at the same time.

I also believe that no two systems sound the same yet most can be "tweaked" somehow to sound better or different.

You have to try to keep an open mind which can be hard sometimes and take all factors including those external to the raw technology, into consideration.
istanbulu
291 posts
 
Mapman... good to hear you liked it... things get pretty "far out" (late 60s early 70s if you catch my drift) at this link... all related stuff to your chair and what the article was discussing...

hold on to your ears though

lol

:)

http://www.belt.demon.co.uk/
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