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Server/DAC Newbie Question

I'm just dipping my toe into downloading and ama curious about how a DAC might fit into this. So far I've downloanded a couple of cds from iTunes, burned them onto cd and am playing those through my system. I was surprised that the sound was comparable to a factory cd (one of the downloads was of something I already own for comparrison purposes).

So, my question is, in order to run directly from my computer to my hi-fi, I gather that I would need some sort of DAC to convert the signal? Also, with something like the Bryston BDA-1, could I also run my Cambridge 840C through it and would there be any sonic benefit to doing so? Or would that just be redundant?
grimace

Showing 2 responses by grimace

grimace OP
624 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I think one of the reasons I can't tell the difference is that I'm not using the Cambridge. It's in the shop. I'm playing these through my Jolida JD100 which is very warm and not overly detailed. I'll be curious to see what these discs sound like when I get the Cambridge back.
grimace OP
624 posts
 
I downloaded and burned a copy of Oscar Peterson's 'The More I See You' on Telarc to compare to the factory cd, which I've had for years. The downloaded/burned version **maybee** gave up a hair in the highs, but most of the low level stuff - Oscar mumbling over his piano - was there. I was listening for collorations, over-emphasized bass. Any differences were very slight. If anything the burned CD has a slightly smoother presentation, but that was about it.

Again, I'll be very interested to hear it through the Cambridge, which is much more revealing.

The thing that I find interesting about the BDA-1 is the ability to run multiple components through it. It can be set up as a DAC for a computer, but also potentially perform as an upgraded DAC for a cdp. That's pretty good flexibility.
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