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New CDP or new DAC?

One of the weak links in my system is my NAD C542 CDP, which when I bought it was a recommended budget CDP. In the new Stereophile Sam Tellig was extremely taken with the Music Fidelity M1DAC. So the question which occurred to me was whether it would be better to buy a new, better CDP, or to use my existing CDP as a transport and feed the signal to a new DAC instead (i.e. assume that, for example, the M1DAC is significantly better than the NAD's internal DAC). Also, if the recommendation is to go the DAC route, the NAD would let me use either a coax or optical cable to connect to the DAC - any preferences? So, I guess I have two questions: CDP or DAC, and if DAC, which connection path to the DAC? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
palewin

Showing 2 responses by istanbulu

istanbulu
291 posts
 
I too suggest a DAC and suggest the USB route via an Apple MacMini. Right now, I have three MacMini/DAC combinations on three systems and have sold my CDPs.

Careful selection of the DAC (I have the dbaudiolabs Tranquility and Tranquility SE, both of which are immensely pleasing in my systems, and the UltraFi iRoc, a little hidden jewel of the past); the USB cabling (suggest a listen to Ridge Street Audio, Locus Audio, or dbaudiolabs' Essential), interconnects and power cords; peripheral HD (I suggest Oyen; and playback software (iTunes is very good, but Pure Audio is much better) will yield results only very expensive CDPs can produce.

I know this sounds like a lot, but once it's set up, it's far more convenient and musically capable than a CDP. Look for items on Audiogon, talk to fellow DAC-ers, ask yourself what you want, and seek it out... I would never go back to a CDP.

:) listening,

Ed
istanbulu
291 posts
 
Ckoffend,

Thanks for your thoughts. If you like recorded music, particularly TT audio without its disciplines, I'd give a MacMini sourced DAC a serious listen.

When/before you do, listen to what DACers have to say.

High quality DAC is quite surprising in an incredible variety of levels.

I've never heard a CDP play as well as a well-selected Mini-sourced DAC system. But the only way you will know is by exercising some social skills, some critical thinking, and some personal selection, experimentation, and experience.

:) listening,

Ed
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