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Ten year old digital source upgrade suggestions?

Hello
I use a Samsung SE 506 Blu-ray Disc drive to rip CD's via a generic USB cable to a 2011 Mac Mini which is wirelessly recognized by a Logitech Squeezebox Touch connected by an Analysis Plus Digital Optical cable to a Metrum Acoustics NOS DAC.
A ModWright power supply and tube stage modded Denon 3800 player is also connected to the NOS DAC with Cardas Golden Reference RCA.

I'm guessing the thrifty Samsung spinner and its included cable may have been a choke point?
We're very used to the Squeezebox, but?
Aside from power outages the Metrum has been on the whole time.
Is it just me or does the CD player sound a bit different than the ripped music?

For the sake of the everything matters context I consider the difference between an inexpensive moving magnet  phono cartridge and a multi $K moving coil cartridge or a change of speakers to be a substantial sonic change worthy of cost. At the same time I can easily hear cable changes with my system. 

I'd say I'm looking for the weakest link first and so on. 

M


128x128m-db

Showing 3 responses by m-db

m-db's avatar
m-db OP
935 posts
 
Thanks mahlar123. I apologize for my lack of knowledge.

So I connected the Samsung drive to the Mac and begin ripping assuming I'm using the Apple software. 
The CD's usually sound better and some of the ripped versions simply stop playing.

I was suspecting having to re-rip the collection just want to make the important additions before I do. Thanks again.
m-db's avatar
m-db OP
935 posts
 
Is there a different method, component, or combination for a digital source that would provide noticeably better fidelity and or ease of use?

Was the Samsung a poor choice for ripping? If so any suggestions for replacement?

Are the Squeezebox Touch and the Metrum Acoustics DAC seriously out dated? Any suggestions for replacement?


m-db's avatar
m-db OP
935 posts
 
After borrowing an Audioquest Forest USB-A to micro and re-ripping two CD's I noticed a slight overall improvement over the previously ripped CD's.

While the player still sounds better the USB cable swap was a scary wake up call that has me waffling all over the place. All for the better, lots to learn. Thank you all.

M 
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