If I am buying a DAC, does my CD player matter?


If I buy a DAC, and my CD Player is just a transport...doesn't that mean the CDP is nothing more than a machine that spins a disc and pass info to the DAC? Wouldn't the DAC's sound overrides the CDP's so therefore it wouldn't really matter what kind of CDP I have?

I am asking because I read alot about the synergy between transports and DACS and don't really understand how it all affects sound quality.
pickanonee
There are two types of DACs: asynchronous upsampling jitter rejecting and non-upsampling (oversampling and non-oversampling). In first case (Dacs like Benchmark DAC1) transport doesn't matter (huge jitter rejection) and anything will do (I use server and cheap DVD player) as long as it has decent tracking and is "bit transparent". Digital cable doesn't matter either. In second case you need good transport with low jitter and good coax digital cable. I bought Benchmark DAC1 ($995) but other people prefer non-oversampling sound and are willing to spend more on transport and cable. It is matter of taste - I like Benchmark but to many people sound is too clean (analytical, sterile etc). Jitter is a noise in time domain and like every noise is affecting clarity.

Benchmark DAC1 has volume pot and I use it as a preamp (only digital sources) directly to power amp. It saves me money on pre and one set of interconnects. I also believe "less is more". If you need analog inputs Benchmark makes DAC1 PRE. Benchmark has 30 day evaluation program - try to get new one since early once had problems. It is neutral (not warm) sounding.

If you have decent transport there are many very good DACs within $500. If you willing to spend more then step above Benchmark would be Bel Canto DAC3 $2500.
I used to believe that transports didn't matter. After doing several comparisons I found out I was wrong. Transports do matter and, in my opinion, can be as important as the DAC. Many years ago it was a commonly held belief that turntables didn't matter. After all, they simply spin the record. :-)

Wendell
certainly. Don't worry about the output stage of the player as that section will be bypassed. But you will need a decent laser pickup stage. The old Philips with those CDM1s are perfect for this. The current production Sonys are s...t...
There has been countless discussions on this, do transports matter? Answer is a huge resounding YES. Sometimes I have heard them make as big a difference as the DAC. Best transports out there are TEAC ones (VRDS. If you can find an old Krell 300cd player and use it as a transport it will be as good as anything before you spend serious $$. This old Krell has the TEAC VRDS transport and it is killer.
The CEC transports are belt driven and that also makes a huge improvement.