I can't believe there is no difference

You're correct in assuming that the TOSlink from your DVD player is a direct digital signal to the internal DAC in the Yamaha reciever. It's also not surprising that you don't hear much difference between the Yamaha DAC and the Cambridge CDP.

Have you tried a comparison using the analog outputs from the DVD player against the Cambridge? There's where you're more likely to hear the difference.

There simply isn't THAT much room for DAC improvement in a $400 CDP from a low volume mfr like Cambridge. By the time you subtract dealer markup, shipping, mfr. markup, advertising, the cost of the CD transport, controls, remote, etc., how much do you think Cambridge spends on their DAC section compared to Yamaha? And don't underestimate Yamaha's DAC; their experience in digital audio design is extensive and their buying power is vast.

While I'm not familiar with your Yamaha, its quite possible that its simply not capable of revealing much difference between two reasonably good DACs. Home theater A/V receivers are full of compromises; with the critical power supply and amp capacitors usually taking the back seat.

I'd say you should rearrange you're spending priorities. Forget about expensive cables until you've got electronics that warrant them. Until then, it's like putting racing tires on a Camry.

Well, Gunbunny, people here are always telling us to trust our ears, so my advice is to trust your ears. If you don't hear a difference between two components, the most likely explanation is that there is no difference. And given the state of the art these days, that shouldn't come as any great surprise, although it certainly is unsettling to some.

Since my dealer has the same model speakers at his place, I think I'll take my DVD player, along with the Cambridge and compare them with his amps. I know he has some Rogue Audio, and McCormick amps that are better than my receiver. These amps are out of my price range right now, but if I can't tell a reasonable difference with these amps, I know I won't be able to with any amp I plan to upgrade to.

I'll also try that good power cord with DVD player like Hdm recommended. I haven't listened to the cambridge with the stock cord. It makes me wonder two things.... 1. Is the DVD player better? 2. Do expensive power cords make an improvement?

Lots of good points above. The two I'd emphasize are that the Yamaha, while not bad for what it is, is probably the limiting factor in your system and you should address that first. I own the 5.3s(using seperates including McCormack DNA-0.5 Rev. A) and got a pair for my brother who has them hooked up to a Denon 4800, and the difference between the two systems is literally night and day. The 5.3s sound bright and the dynamics anemic with the Denon to the point where I really don't enjoy listening to that system even though I love the 5.3s.

The second point I'd re-emphasize is that hearing the differences in source components is significantly different than with, say, speakers. The differences in the high frequencies are usually readily identifyable, as you've apparently found, but the more subtle improvements may take a little while for you to notice or may require further system upgrades to allow you to hear them. Specifically, the background and space between instruments/vocals should become clearer, and this combined with better dynamics can start to make each component of the soundstage seem more "there" and in the room with you. Also, subtle details such as the complex tonal shadings of cymbals or the balance between the scraping of a bow on a string and the resonance of the body of a cello should become more natural(on good recordings, that is). As an example, I went from an MSB Link DAC, which is a very respectable product and a great value, to an EVS Millennium DAC and at first, like you, I was underwhelmed with what I heard. Mostly I noticed an opening up of the high frequencies but not much more. It wasn't until I switched the Link DAC back into my system that I realized how much more of the music I was getting out of the EVS DAC.

It could be that the DVD player actually isn't that bad of a CD player, but the bottom line is you've really got to address using a receiver to drive the 5.3s first, because you'll be constrained in your ability to hear differences in equipment(and hence make decisions on future equipment) and to fully enjoy the capabilities of your system until you do that. I really think that messing with power cords or any cables at this point is not going to help you in the long run, and probably not in the short run either. Sounds like you've got a pretty cool dealer and going to hear his system is a good start, but ultimately there's no substitute for hearing your system in your room, so if you can borrow a good preamp and something like a McCormack amp I think you'll quickly realize what upgrade makes the most sense. I've got more specific thoughts but have rambled on enough, so if you're interested feel free to email me. Best of luck.

Tim

I agree with the others -- Get the Yamaha receiver out of the chain for 2CH listening and the differences will become apparent. BTW -- if you are considering Rogue, look into some of the older Audio Research gear for sale on this site.. The price for performance is getting pretty nice. Good luck on your experiment at the dealer.