I agree with Elizabeth. Newer isn't akways better and there are other factors involved in how a dac sounds besides the chip used. It's like a quality 100 watt amp sounding better than a crappy one that's rated at 1,000 watts. I can't hear a difference between my parasound z-dac (which got and is getting rave reviews? And my musical fidelity a3.2 cd player (that got ok reviews). Buy a dac that you can return once you've heard it then you can decide for yourself!
How to evaluate CD DAC vs. outboard DAC quality
I have a Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CDP that received positive reviews upon is release. If, as I keep reading, DACs have advanced by leaps and bounds over the past several years, I have to wonder if adding an outboard DAC would improve the overall sound quality. My audio goal is always the same: greater musical realism!
So the question is: How can you know whether a recently released DAC (say around $1000-$1500) will be a useful add-on? I'm not looking for the flippant and unhelpful try-it-for-yourself-and-see response. I'd genuinely like to know A) whether modern-day DACs really are superior to those from five or ten years ago, and B) whether someone with a large CD collection and no interest in computer audio is better off forgetting about a DAC and investing instead in a better CDP, like Ayon or the like.
Thanks!
So the question is: How can you know whether a recently released DAC (say around $1000-$1500) will be a useful add-on? I'm not looking for the flippant and unhelpful try-it-for-yourself-and-see response. I'd genuinely like to know A) whether modern-day DACs really are superior to those from five or ten years ago, and B) whether someone with a large CD collection and no interest in computer audio is better off forgetting about a DAC and investing instead in a better CDP, like Ayon or the like.
Thanks!