2. digital
  3. 192790-180438

Should I buy a seperate dac?

I have the NAD C538 cd player and trying to figure out if an outboard dac would improve things.  Looking at the Schiit Bitfrost 2 as an option.  Your thoughts are much appreciated!

128x128wentz
wentz's avatar
wentz OP
4 posts
 

I should clarify that I do not stream and probably never will (senior citizen)!  So just looking for a dac to try and upgrade my current cd player

hboden
3 posts
 

Your CD player (NAD C538) uses a Wolfson WM8740 DAC chip. As far as I know (internet reviews), this is a high quality chip, so to get a discernible upgrade in SQ, you might want to consider R2R DACs such as Denafrips, Holo Audio. First try to do an audition and let your ears decide!

vthokie83
944 posts
 

++1 for the Denafrips Ares 15th (NOT the Enyo model). The 15th models have trickle down tech from the next level up Denafrips Pontus. As Soix mentioned it's $300 more than the Bifrost, but I suspect that will be money well spent. For disclosure, I own and still love the next level up Pontus II DAC

More to discover