External DAC question

pmckeealaska

I'm interested in improving the front end of my system. Given the equipment I have (see sugnature below) would I get any improvement by getting an external DAC? I have read a lot about them, and know what they do, but am unsure whether they are worth it or whether it might be better to consider upgrading to a new universal player (such as a Marantz DV-9500). Any thoughts? How is an external DAC hooked up to a universal player? Do you use an optical cable? Thanks!

cstpeter

I added a PS Audio DAC to my Denon 2900 (via coaxial) and had very good results. However, I think digital front-end changes are more subtle than other upgrades.

But why not give it a shot...take advantage of those 30-day return policies. I would also suggest comparing the DAC upgrade to a new amp upgrade and seeing which provides better results.

Also, note a DAC will only be compatible with 2-channel music.

Hope this helps.

danger boy

an external DAC hooks up to a CD player or transport via a digital cable.. optical or coax... or balanced audio cable if your CDP has such an output.

pmckeealaska

Since my Denon 2900 already has an internal 24 bit DAC, would I really get any sonic improvement by using an external DAC like the PS Audio DAC cstpeter mentioned. cstpeter: did you get noticeable improvement in red book CD sound quality?

danger boy

all i can say.. is that an external DAC is probably going to have better parts used in it... it may be subtle... but I think you'd hear a difference.

pmckeealaska

OK...not to belabor the point, but would the difference (read improvement) to be had with an external DAC any better than just get a new front end all together, assuming both are equally priced?

danger boy

price may have very little to do with it. the build quality and parts used and how they are used all contribute to how well a external DAC performs.

You could have two equally priced DAC's or CDP's... and although they both appear similar, they may sound totally different.

A few people have claimed that when they added an external DAC, they did not hear much of a difference. While other's depending on digital source, have heard significant differences.

pmckeealaska

Sounds like there is no clear answer on this matter. Maybe I should just be happy with what I have (which I am!) rather than go out and spend money on something that may or may not provide any sonic improvement. I guess I just have a case of the "upgrades".

danger boy

Well most DAC's keep their value pretty well. So if you do venture down that alley.. you could always resell it. and not take a hit.

The DAC i use, uses vacuum tubes.... so whenever I get tired of the sound.. i just swap out the tubes.. and it's like a whole new DAC.

cstpeter

pmckeealaska wrote: »

Since my Denon 2900 already has an internal 24 bit DAC, would I really get any sonic improvement by using an external DAC like the PS Audio DAC cstpeter mentioned. cstpeter: did you get noticeable improvement in red book CD sound quality?

Yes. In my system, it provided a big improvement--but only in red book CD quality, cuz that's all it does. No improvement in SACD, DVD-Audio, Dolby Digital, etc.

That said, I noticed a much bigger improvement when I went from a Rotel 981 (or similiar...it was a 2x200 Rotel) to my current PS Audio GCC-250. If this holds true in your system, then a new amp would yield more immediate results.

My opinion: If you're looking for a noticeable but modest improvement in 2-channel red book sound, then a DAC is a good investment. If you're looking to take your whole system to the next level, then I think you should look at a new amp or pre/pro.

But if you can, give 'em all a try! Never know til you hear it in your system.

pmckeealaska

I would certainly hope you would hear an improvement when going from a Rotel to a $3500 amp! My God, I wish I could afford that kind of equipment.

venomclan

+1 on the external dac, I use the Bel Canto Dac1.1 with the Denon 2900 and like the combo a lot. An amp will yield more of an improvement in sound, but the ultimate is speaker upgrades.
V

cstpeter

Dude, I'm done...good luck.