2. digital
  3. 148479-75518

At what point is an external D/A converter warranted or beneficial

Over the years and after multiple "upgrades" I've become disillusioned with digital audio reproduction. As my systems improved in quality/resolution, the digital audio quality has equally deteriorated to where most listening is now done in analog. This makes my CD collection of in excess of 1000 titles pretty much useless. My digital D/A conversion knowledge is pretty much limited to whatever is done by the internal D/A converter of the equipment. That being a Lexicon MC12B processor and Oppo BDP103. As my choices of ICs went from basics to high quality resolution improved with a marked decline in digital SQ. I'm at a point where any Redbook CD presents a harsh, edgy, shrilly, bright, name it what you want, upper frequency. Changing ICs back to basic cables attenuates this along with resolution of the music played. You might say I'm at a loss. Do I live with less resolution or the digital limitations. I do not have this issue playing analog media. Would an external D/A converter be beneficial or a waste of money? 
Systems are: B&W 803D2 and surrounds,  Lexicon MC12B, Oppo BDP 103, AQ Columbia ICs XLR & RCA,  AQ Digital ICs,  Tara Labs speaker cables,  Rogue Pharaoh, VPI Prime . Analog front end shares the L/R front speaker and input from the Oppo. 
Is there such a thing as an external D/A converter for a H/T setup as the Lexicon processor is the oldest piece in the chain with most likely the weakest D/A converter. But how would that connect to avoid the internal processing.
Any suggestions or recommendations?

128x128gillatgh

Showing 1 response by melm

melm
1,057 posts
 
I think all this talk about AC power and better wires is beside the point.

I think I was in a similar situation.  I listen mostly to classical music and had a hard time getting a digital system to sound anywhere close to as good as my analog.  Classical is audio's toughest test.  I went from Philips (heavily modified) to Lavry to Oppo.  Improvements, yes, but mostly they remained unused.  I am interested only in 2 channel.

About 18 months ago I took a chance on a very reasonably priced Chinese import.  Very large power supplies, dual ES9038 chips, discrete analog section.  The DAC gave me what I wanted, a sound that was as good, though not identical, to what I was experiencing in vinyl.  I have since been building around this DAC including the ripping of CDs and SACDs.  I write this only to let you know that there are now DACs out there that will, I think, do what you want.  I am not here trying to promote a particular DAC, as I'm sure lots of people will chime in with suggestions.

But digital has come a long way.
More to discover