Dedicated CD Transport vs DAC

1) Which accounts for the most sonic improvement? A quality dedicated CD Transport or a Quality DAC?

 

2) If a person could assign a percentage... by what % did your cd transport improve your sound? By what % did your new dac improve your sound?

A manufacturer of a high caliber who knows how to make a top notch sacd/cd transport will also know how to produce a top quality dac. It is their integration of the two and optimization of signal paths, etc that makes it sound immaculate.

You may think that you can do a better job than the high caliber manufacturers... mixing/matching the different transports, dacs and wires made of magicdustium. You may think a lot of things and imagine yourself to be some type of audio master chef/sound master....but, you may not succeed. The regular guy sitting at home just doesn’t have knowledge/expertise on the nitty gritty like the manufacturers do. Nevertheless, some will need to spend tens of thousands before they admit defeat (such failed adventures begin to show up on the marketplace).

@no_regrets - You’re fortunate, over the last ~5yrs there have been great strides in DAC sonics at more affordable prices.  If you like to spin CDs, best to get a better transport if within budget.

TEAC VRDS-701T CD transport Is another option.  

@kennyc Yes, I agree 100% in that there seems to be a great selection of affordable dacs that have excellent sonics at the moment.  The key is trying to audition them in your system to see which one will be synergistic with your system and sonic goals.

Thankfully, if willing to buy new, there are some companies that will allow you an in home trial for a period of time and if you are not in love with it, you can return for a partial refund.

I am currently in the process on trying to find the best dac that will suit my needs at a price that I can afford and then will purchase a new cd transport that I believe will mate best with the dac.

I appreciate you mentioning the Teac.  That has been one that has been mentioned to me on a couple of occasions, which tells me that it certainly would be worthy of consideration.

Thank you for taking the time to post on this thread.

Best wishes,

Don

Hi Don…this might be of interest to you…

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650148749-jays-audio/

Hi Mark,

Thank you for the heads-up.  I actually did notice that one a couple of days ago, but I truly appreciate you sharing the link with me as I don't check every day.

I'm going to be passing on that one.  As I look closely at the pictures in the ad, it just doesn't seem to be in as nice of condition as I would like it to be.  

Thanks again and best wishes to you,

Don