Budget DAC vs new Player

Well, once again I am grateful for the useful and quick answers this community comes up with.

Elevick's inquiry is on the mark: There was only a small difference between the Rotel's internal DAC and using the one in the NAD - which, I suppose is informative about both of them. Perhaps I am underestimating the quality of the Rotel, but I had expected a meaningful difference between the DAC's, given the fact that the T-163 is circa 2004 and my Rotel dates back to the late 90's.

DAC aside, though, the NAD is very musical to my ears and is a good compliment to the rest of my system.

I am also wait-listed for the Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro (now some 8 months overdue), so it may make sense to wait for it and see if the DAC in it is noticeably superior.(As yet, I don't know what they will be using.)

While the NAD lacks HDMI connections, if I decide to keep the Emotiva, I'll try putting it up for sale here in hopes of realizing somthing for it..

In any event, thanks for giving me the options I was looking for.

Jon

What type of digital link are you using between the Rotel player and the NAD pre/pro?

I am now using a 1 meter digital coax cable to link the two.

It does seem clear, both from comments here and elsewhere, that I would do better to buy a DAC, rather than a new player at the same price.

You know, part of the fun with this hobby, reagrdless of how much money you have to spend, is the questioning, planning and learning that goes into each step along the way.

For example, I have read in a number of places that the length of the digital cable is a significant factor. Now I get to run that one down....

08-10-09: Johnnyb53
What type of digital link are you using between the Rotel player and the NAD pre/pro?

08-11-09: Opteron05
I am now using a 1 meter digital coax cable to link the two.

Uh, yeah, but what kind, what quality? You can use anything from a $6 composite video cable to a $350 Illuminati Orchid to a $650 AudioQuest Eagle Eye... and beyond. There are claims that some SP/DIF links hold true to the 75 ohm standard better than others, and therefore introduce less jitter into the digital datastream. My first experience with a digital cable that made a difference was the $99 entry-level Transparent. For me there was no going back. Currently I use a JPS Superconductor digital link.

Johnnyb53

It's been a few years, so I don't remember the brand, but I'm guessing that I spent about $15.00 for it. While I recognize that all cables and connectors can have a significant effect on sound, my limited budget forces me to look for the greatest dollar cost / benefit in my system.

Given my druthers, my system components would be very different and my 11 x 19 room would get acoustic treatment.

I do think that, as the components of the system improve, the effects of changes can be more easily discerned. But, in my situation, I am still sorting out the major components within my limitations. So, for now, at least, I feel that I would realize a more significant effect from a higher quality DAC at $299 (The Music Fidelity V-DAC) than I would from changing to a higher cost cable...

Thanks for your comment.