do I need a DAC if I only have a stereo system with CD player and receiver? Last time I shopped for system was 25 years ago & never heard of DACs
798796
It depends on the quality of your CD player. An external DAC may improve the sound quality over that of the DAC built into your CD player. The CD player should have some type of "digital out" which bypasses your CD's DAC and sends it to the external DAC.
798797
More than likely not. The CD player has it's own internal DAC. The external DAC is used to bypass the lower quality sound card in your laptop, desktop, iPhone, iPod, other digital source converting the digital signal to analog giving the user a higher quality signal to amplify.
391311
The answer depends on your cd player and current dac that you are using. This unit provides a very high level of processing of lower resolution files and really does a good job in squeezing a bit extra out of them. If this is an upgrade for you depends on your existing equipment.
427916
The only out on this DAC is analog, that's why you'd use it: digital-to-analog conversion. Connect your digital sources to it to have a better conversion to analog than most receivers and embedded analog outs on most players. But it only converts PCM stereo, so if you want dolby or DTS 5.1, 7.1, and beyond, this is not your route.
1386827
I know this review is from 2013, but I want to say I am using the same pair of headphones with the JDS Labs O2 Headphone amp and standalone ODAC and it has made a major increase in listening quality for them. The Amp alone at least doubles the quality, whereas the DAC will clean it up for you.
1280959
I have a separate pre-amp and amp. The output of the DAC (for music) is connected to the input of the pre-amp. Connecting the output of the DAC to the input of a receiver is essentially the same thing, since the input of the receiver is the input of the (integrated) preamp in the receiver. You wouldn't use the output of the pre-amp with a DAC, because the output is analog. Hope this answers your question.
558237
Hello,Thank you for your interest in our gear. The XDA-2 DAC is a great product, and is usually after the CD player in the signal path. Based on that, it has digital inputs (2 digital optical, 2 digital coaxial, 1 AES/ EBU, and 1 USB) and no analog inputs. So unfortunately you would not be able to run an analog input into the DAC. If your SACD player does have one of the digital ports, you can connect it out of the CD player into the XDA-2. If you are wanting to run the XDA-2 into the SACD player I am unaware if that is possible, you will need to check with your SACD player manufacture to confirm.Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. I hope you have a great rest of the day. Hello,Thank you for your interest in our gear. The XDA-2 DAC is a great product, and is usually after the CD player in the signal path. Based on that, it has digital inputs (2 digital optical, 2 digital coaxial, 1 AES/ EBU, and 1 USB) and no analog inputs. So unfortunately you would not be able to run an analog input into the DAC. If your SACD player does have one of the digital ports, you can connect it out of the CD player into the XDA-2. If you are wanting to run the XDA-2 into the SACD player I am unaware if that is possible, you will need to check with your SACD player... » Read More Hello,Thank you for your interest in our gear. The XDA-2 DAC is a great product, and is usually after the CD player in the signal path. Based on that, it has digital inputs (2 digital optical, 2 digital coaxial, 1 AES/ EBU, and 1 USB) and no analog inputs. So unfortunately you would not be able to run an analog input into the DAC. If your SACD player does have one of the digital ports, you can connect it out of the CD player into the XDA-2. If you are wanting to run the XDA-2 into the SACD player I am unaware if that is possible, you will need to check with your SACD player manufacture to confirm.Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. I hope you have a great rest of the day. « Show Less
1455052
DAC's are not best used for video applications as they are Digital Analog Converters. They shine for two channel high resolution audio and require a 4 GB laptop and computer audio player properly set in order to get the highest quality but they fall short for today's surround sound audio. I would suggest you use a good 5.1 or greater A/V head unit with a good set of speakers. DAC's are for listening to pure sound and would do well if you don't mind a 2 channel setup but most a/v sound never approaches the bit rate required for hi res audio (5,000 Kbps 192khz) in other words unless your an audio freak it would be a waste of money
1162985
Easy. Just connect the audio cables from the output on the DAC to one of the inputs on the amp. I kept my CD connected to the CD inputs on amp, and my DAC is connected to the tuner inputs. That way I can switch back and forth.
449192
I asked Sonos support a somewhat similar question regarding using their DAC. If you don't care for the DAC in the Connect, you can always use the digital optical out on it (this bypasses its own internal DAC) and send it to whatever DAC you'd like for the conversion. Basically, as long as you aren't using any analog connection out, it stays digital and you can do whatever you'd like with it.
2249148
The Gemini Doctor himself says that you need a CD player as an audio source.... what is this world coming to? You're actually going to need a full blown record player as a source, as digital is for losers. Digital isn't really for losers, it just seems like there's no reason to get an analog amp if you're going to use a digital source. Generally analog people don't like their signal being converted back and forth and losing some of that sweet, sweet warmth to the digital mittleman. Sure you could use a .flac recording that's "lossless" but is it really? I'd rather not find out and spin the black circle when I want a really rich music listening experience and leave that .mp3 malarky for when I'm on the go. From here on out you won't find me without my record player in my place of residence. Anyway, you're going to need 1) a record player 2) records to play on that record player 3) speakers or headphones 4) this device or something that accomplishes the same task
1038815
You can get a great sounding optical DAC from Fiio for $25, and attach it to the back of this amp. http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B005PWPUW6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1353039917&sr=8-4&keywords=Fiio+DAC
1505314
This is a "component " for a stereo system. You hook it into a receiver, an integrated amplifier, or pre-amp - amplifier system. Not to sound like an audio snob or anything, but if you will be satisfied with the sound of an "all-encompassing CD player" then this high-end player is way overkill. On the other hand, it's a great machine and if it's at a good price you can't go wrong buying it now and plugging it into any low-end amplified speaker system today and upgrading later. Best wishes.
1080023
It is only necessary to add a DAC if you have a very demanding headphone (mine were: AKG K701 and HiFiMan HE-400) and if your PC soundboard has interference from spinnng harddrives (in my case Thinkpad X230 it was) audible in a silent environment I recommend the SMSL Sanskrit DAC. Very affordable and great sound.
768470
Yes, that would work just fine as long as you have a digital out on your player. You'll get remarkably improved definition if your CD player has a typical built in DAC.
704778
There are RCA outs to plug it into a stereo system. Please note that these are already a line level signal. If you plug it into the 'phono' jack of older stereos, the sound will be distorted. Best to plug it into 'tape' or 'aux' or 'cd'.
2213464
The USB uses a 44.1KHz, 16 bit DAC therefore producing CD quality sound; most likely this is what your computer uses as well. You may use either.
1110899
as long as your computer gets you a digital out, either coaxial or optical, then you can enter the dac , then from the dac to your amplifier with a very common rca (red + white) cable. If I may, go for the highest quality file format on spotify, not sure if you have flac there, or any other lossless format, but aim for the highest bit rate. This dac turns a great source into wonder, but won't turn highly compressed mp3 crap into musical heaven.