2. digital
  3. 1383236255

noob DAC question

Hello all. Building a system gradually and would like to know about CD players with built-in DAC's. My first purchase in many years (Anthem Integrated 225 - to replace a Yamaha A-1020) is strictly an analog amp. If I purchase a CD player w/ built-in DAC but use the standard (non-digital) outputs, is the DAC function effectively bypassed...or does the signal still travel though the built-in DAC en route to the analog output?

In other words, by having an analog amp is a built-in DAC inconsequential because an external DAC is required by definition - or does a built-in DAC save me a step?

thanks much
sartorical

Showing 2 responses by audioman58

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,285 posts
 
If you have a choice allways buy a seperate amplifier,I donot care for dac included in amp for it is limited ,buy the best Dac you can afford.the dac is what will dictate in part tonal balance, detail,it is First before going to a preamplifier ,receiver you Cannot make up for detail later,once it is lost it is gone. That is why I try to buy the best dac I can afford if building a digital
Library ,buy a Big external drive 2 terabyte is so great value.seperate power supply is better - plug in less noise.
Wav files are best totally uncompressed,flac is second. My uncle is a recording engineer with over 30 years in the field. The new DSD downloads
Are tops, if you are buying a new dac you are better off waiting to buy a new dac with DSD capabilities for it is becoming more popular by the week.
And sacd is a DSD recording.Apple format can be converted to wav or flac files,the most accurate program around $40is DB Poweramp which accurately rips cds to digital files, and will convert any file format
Essential for any quality playback.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,285 posts
 
At the show and otherwise get rid of noisy computer.
GetDb poweramp rip accurate copies to a 2-T external hard drive Wav files
Then to a good player best value by far is the Auraliti pk-90 with linear
Power supply , by $3.00 app Mpad then control whole library from IPad
Make sure you use very good usb cables I use Wireworld Silver starlight
For both cables less then half the price then Bryston and less headaches from my experience. This is the way to go and can play any DsD files.
dB Poweramp can also convert all Apple files to Wav which Apple can read if you ever wanted to play in. Computer has way too much internal noises
SWitching power supplies, fans, p.s buy external drive with separate power -wall wart supply. For Better even better sonics.
More to discover