Budget DAC vs Budget CD Player?

Just because a DAC has asynchronous USB, does not mean the USB interface is well designed. The best DAC designer is not necessarily a great USB engineer, these are different skill sets. Smilar to a DAC, There are also many different levels of quality in the components inside a USB converter, like the input/output stages, the quality and separation of the power supply, the quality of the crystal oscillators that re-clock the signal, etc.
one DAC that I really want to hear is the schitt bifrost, I have heard/read that the USB interface is good, but I have also read that it sounds a bit thin, not detailed enough in the low end. The Usb board is interchangeable in this unit.
The USB converter that I feel is the best quality vs cost is the JKSPDIF mk3, for various reasons. Have not yet sprang for this one. I still use the Vlink 192, which meets all of my criteria except one, it is still powered off of the USB cable, which is a no no in a truly high end system.

Usb to usb mini. My unit is not async so the sound was not that great. I ended up switching to a PURE I-20 ipod doc (i have an ipod too) and used the toslink connection to the DAC. It sounded much better this way. I would recommend the new Emo DAC(ansyc) and use a decent USB cord.

Realmo- would you need a USB converter if using a ASYNC USB DAC?

Mik971- so how do you feed the DAC from your computer? Digital mini jack?

The DAC route also allows an upgrade path via USB converter, a la Musical Fidelity Vlink 192, JKSPDIF MK3, Audiophilleo, Anedio, Empirical Audio, many others. Using a USB converter to re-clock the signal offers significant upgrades in sound vs. the USB inputs in the vast majority of DACs.

Kray- I currently have the 1st generation Emotiva XDA-1 DAC in my system. It is a wonderful dac and a steal of a price but the USB input on my unit is nothing special. I would recommend the latest version if you go with Emo, I think they improved the USB section. The remote control volume and swithching really comes in handy!

It is a good idea to have a spinner as a backup in case your computer based system goes belly up, you don't have to be totally without music on those occasions when you're really on the mood to hear something. I have a Denon changer, and it cannot touch the quality of my PC based front end, but I use it from time to time when I don't have the laptop totally set up, or if I don't have that new CD ripped just yet.

I bought the Audioengine D1 when it first came out. I ran a Sheffield test and burn in CD through it for 72 hours. To my ears, it sounded no better via optical (Cables to Go 40231 SonicWave Glass Toslink Cable) than a $21 FiiO D3 DAC available through Amazon.

Thanks guys. I'm thinking the DAC makes more sense right now too. I was also looking at a used NAD CD player....

Also if you have a nice USB DAC would there ever really be a need to add a CD player if you run a Mac Mini all the time? Seems you could just RIP everything and control the music thru the Mac.

Also considering the Emotiva XDA-2.

I think it would be very difficult to find a good cdp for $200. I would also recommend the Audioengine suggestion.

Option 1 obviously gives you a more flexible upgrade path and the Audioengine D1 is a very nice DAC for the money, It has the advantage over a lot of inexpensive DACs of having an optical input, handy if you're going to be using a Mac as a source.

I have one that's usually in a basement workshop system where I stream to it from iTunes or MOG though an Airport Express and on to a DIY T-amp. Because I'm packing for a move it's now in my living room and doing a nice job. Build quality is excellent, as well.

If you're comfortable using the Mac as your primary source I'd say go fot the first option.