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Comparing external DAC to CD player DAC

I have been using a well-known, inexpensive ($300), and well regarded DAC with an old MAC as a music server.  I also stream TIDAL masters and use the CD transport through the server, all going through the external DAC.   I recently pulled out my old CD player, a Marantz CD-67se: an "oldie but a goodie".  The CD player with its onboard, 20+year old DAC is far superior to what I am experiencing with the external DAC, from any source..  Is this expected.  I am not opposed to purchasing a new external DAC, but i really don't want to spend thousands of dollars to reproduce sound I can get from a 20 year old CD player.  What am i missing? Could I be I doing something wrong, or could my external DAC be malfunctioning.

djbarabino

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,801 posts
 

after my search, my conclusion is that it is a SALAD: dac(s); upscaling; re-clocking; filters; anti-jitter; proprietary this and that ....

prefer, not better is the way I think about it.

trust your ears, and any friends ears you trust.

After research and asking advice I went thru 9 different players, found one low cost changer, no SACD (Onkyo Integra CDC-3.4), and finally old Sony xa5400es for CDs and SACDs.

Using computer’s USB to DAC is far superior to using Headphone Jack for simple streaming. Inexpensive Topping D10s sounds great.

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