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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!
recroom

Showing 1 response by sturgl

sturgl
24 posts
 
"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."

A) Yes, certainly - but perhaps not in ways helpful to you. USB DACs (computer audio) have come a very long way. i2S is pretty darned interesting. Then there's high-resolution audio (NOT upsampling). As for s/pdif and aes/ebu, and redbook only - I don't know... probably?

B) Like others, I'm really not trying to be flippant - but only you can tell if you like the sound better from one over any other given component. If it were my money, and I didn't want to go computer audio - I'd think about both the transport and the DAC, and maybe try to crank my budget up to $2k. So for my part, I prefer your Ayon suggestion.

I guess the best advice I can give (and I'm already parroting others here) is to find a local dealer you like that is willing for you to demo equipment in your home. Try some stuff out with your equipment, your cables, your acoustics - and pick the thing you like!
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