How important is the transport when using a DAC?


Hello,

I've been thinking lately, if my transport is extreme low-end, is having a nice DAC a waste of time? In other words, if I am using a $60 Sony DVD/CD player to deliver the digital signal through a coax cable to my Arcam r-Dac, is that not doing it justice? Do you recommend I upgrade my transport to better meet the quality of the DAC or does it not matter?

Thanks!
learyscott

Showing 1 response by elberoth2

The new DACs, using the latest digital input receivers, are far less sensitive than the DASs designed a few years back.

If only your player has a bit perfect output, I think you will get a bigger improvement by adding a quality linear power supply to your rDAC. The Teddy Pardo one, which is based on a super regulator solution, takes this DAC to entirely different level. Having had a lot of experience with this DAC, I cannot recommend this solution highly enough.

I also highly recommend using the rDAC via the USB in as it sounds best This way.