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transport/dac vs integrated player

I have almost always used an outboard dac,  primarily because it always sounded much better, presumably because the external dac was better than my cd players internal dac. I have always concentrated on the dac and not on the quality of the transport, and planned on trying better transports and also playing via computer with a usb to s/pdif bridge. The question I have is this: assuming the dac in an integrated player equals the sound quality of an external dac, does the fact that it is in the player itself  alleviate any issues with the connection from a transport to an external dac?   To put it another way, assuming all things being equal, am I better off seeking out a player rather than a separate transport /dac?  Thanks in advance. 

majorc

Showing 3 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 

OP,

 

It is most effective to remove noise at the source. Trying to remove it later is never fully effective and can cause additional artifacts.
 

My streamer uses battery power for audio circuits, is massively heavy to prevent mechanical vibration, and has a carefully controlled processor with no extraneous processes… etc. it sounds as good as my great vinyl end.  

ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 

There is an advantage to using internal storage on a streamer vs external storage attached to a PC. You want a PC no where in the loop or near your audio system.

 

Most streamers still have internal storage for any ripped CDs or files you have purchased. A good streamer will have an internally stored CD sound exactly the same as a streamed album of the same mastering and file format. 

ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 

Given where we are in the evolution of digital playback you definitely want to stay with separates. CD playing is rapidly being replaced with streaming.. many companies have discontinued manufacturing them. Streaming is rapidly replacing CD transports. My streamer sounds better on streamed high resolution material than a spun CD. My service ($12 / month) gives me access to over 1/2 million high resolution albums and millions of CDs. 
 

I can spin a CD… but only do a punt once a year… then can’t figure out why I bothered.

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