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New CDP or new DAC?

One of the weak links in my system is my NAD C542 CDP, which when I bought it was a recommended budget CDP. In the new Stereophile Sam Tellig was extremely taken with the Music Fidelity M1DAC. So the question which occurred to me was whether it would be better to buy a new, better CDP, or to use my existing CDP as a transport and feed the signal to a new DAC instead (i.e. assume that, for example, the M1DAC is significantly better than the NAD's internal DAC). Also, if the recommendation is to go the DAC route, the NAD would let me use either a coax or optical cable to connect to the DAC - any preferences? So, I guess I have two questions: CDP or DAC, and if DAC, which connection path to the DAC? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
palewin
ckoffend
684 posts
 
Ed, I hear you and can understand your personal passion for computer based. However, not all of us are ready and willing to give up CDs, especially if one has a SACD player, large collection etc. . . I use a computer based server as well (via a Squeezebox/logitech Duet to my CDP/DAC) and love this convenience. I have had a lot of DACs/CDPs with d-inputs (EMM Labs, DCS stack, Esoteric, Wadia, Levinson, etc. . . ). While I think the sound is wonderful, i am not 100% sure it is better or possibly quite as good - but that may be an illogical bias!

Computer based is wonderfully convenient and when done right sounds wonderful.
facten
2,882 posts
 
I'd go the DAC route and will offer as a suggestion a Blue Circle 509 - roughly $1200
istanbulu
291 posts
 
Ckoffend,

Thanks for your thoughts. If you like recorded music, particularly TT audio without its disciplines, I'd give a MacMini sourced DAC a serious listen.

When/before you do, listen to what DACers have to say.

High quality DAC is quite surprising in an incredible variety of levels.

I've never heard a CDP play as well as a well-selected Mini-sourced DAC system. But the only way you will know is by exercising some social skills, some critical thinking, and some personal selection, experimentation, and experience.

:) listening,

Ed
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smortega
70 posts
 
I'm using the mac mini and wavelength brick USB DAC. Good news- the hardware is stone cold reliable and gives my turntable a good contest, quality wise and WHEN the software and networks are ok, beat the heck out of the TT for convenience. My experience with computers at work, with photography and with audio is that the value, versatility and convenience the format provides is paid for by the time and irritation I spend fixing glitches. I don't use my old CD/SACD player- it just doesn't measure up to the mini+DAC, but that doesn't mean I'm not sorely tempted to get an updated CDP.
craig_hoch
65 posts
 
Go with a DAC paired with your NAD CDP. The first CDP that I had in my big rig was a Naim CDX. I then moved on to a Doge 6 tube CDP. Both players, however, were smoked by the combination of an Oppo DV-980h ($179) paired with a vintage California Audio Labs Sigma tube DAC. I paid $250 for the Sigma. I sold my CDP and bought a small secondary system for my dining room with the savings. The old Sigmas are great, you will notice that when they come up for sale here on A'gon they are sold within moments of listing, they are that good. Plus I run my Direct TV into my Sigma via an optical cable, and can switch back and forth via a small button on the Sigma.
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