Anyway to use the DAC in an integrated cd player with an outboard transport?


I know it's usually the other way around; many cd players have inputs to allow an outboard DAC to be used with the cd player's transport but I have a great player in the Raysonic 228 and the shop said the transport is fine but the cdp sometimes won't play a disc to the end so what to do?  Also had a Consonance Droplet 5.0 that I was very fond of and replaced the optics only to have it develop issues with skipping ahead (it would hang up if you skipped ahead a few tracks or more).   Anyone know a way to make this happen---using the DAC in the cdp?
lcherepkai

Showing 2 responses by chayro

If the player has a digital input, purchase a stand-alone transport like the Cambridge CXC and a digital cable - plug the output of the transport to the digital input of the CD player and it should work. That’s it. BTW, CXC transports are available on Ebay from the manufacturer for $350 or so. I have one and it’s fine for the money. People also seem to like the Audiolab transport for about $550. As far as the digital cable goes, I would say just pick up something from Audioquest for $50-$100 and you’ll be fine. And you do need a digital cable, not a regular interconnect, so I’m told. You do have a choice between coaxial and toslink though. I use the coax, but opinions may differ. 
I have never heard of anybody ever modifying a unit to add a digital input to a unit that didn't have one.  I guess anything can be done, but my guess is that it is not cost effective.  Maybe you can just live without hearing the last tracks on some of your CDs or time to buy a new player. On the upside, there are a lot of good $1000 dacs available now and pair them up with a CXC and you have a nice combo.