can i improve my system with a better cd player?

You *might* be able to score an Oppo BDP-83SE for that money now. That unit had a VERY good analog 2-channel section. And, it gives you the ability to play ANY shiny disc available today...

-RW-

I just scanned the Agon ads, there is an 83 available for $600. Stretch your budget by $100 and you will have a superlative player...

06-23-11: Monterey
Is this correct to assume. If i connect the cd player to my yamaha via RCA's, I am using the CD player to decode. If I connect the cd player via a toslink to the yamaha, I'm letting the yamaha decode??
Monterey (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Yes, if you have only a Toslink connected, then the Yamaha is doing all of the D/A conversation and making your music.

If you use RCA only to the Yamaha, the player is making the music with its built in DAC.

If you have both connections (RCA and Toslink) used, that would depend on what you have it set to do.

In general, the DAC makes more of a difference than the transport (no DAC) used, unless the transport is of poor quality, or not working as it should

When thinking about which unit is doing the digital to analog conversion, think of it this way:

If the cable(s) connecting the player to the DSP-A1 are analog cables (RCA) the signal is analog and the player has already done the digital to analog conversion.

If the cable connecting the player to the DSP-A1 is digital (TOSLink or Coax) the signal has not been converted yet and is still digital. Therefore, the DSP-A1 MUST do the digital to analog conversion...

-RW-

"can i improve my system with a better cd player?"

Sure thing. Buy a modest vinyl rig and you'll hear the difference vinyl brings to the plate. I've a so called 'hi end cd player'. I've also got 6 turntables. End of discussion.