Going over to the DAC side.....

[TJLitt]

as I stated in a response to another, I just obtained a Cambridge
Dac Magic 2MK2 from Audiogon, and hooked my Toshiba DVD player into it.
This was intended as step one in response to having an older CD player recently die on me, until I figured out a better transport at least. Well, I have to say, although it's early in the listening process, I am pretty impressed. I thought the result would equal or slightly better the old player(a Pioneer
CD changer, which sounded good), but the resulting sound is night and day!
Initial observations would include a sharper, more defined soundstage, tighter bass and far better detail retrieval.
Have I started down a path leading to tube DACs and expensive transports??
Ah, why worry, I think I'll just rummage through the CD collection!

 

[riverrat]

I think setups such as you mention are a great way to go as a bridge to the future when we don't use CDs anymore.

I'm curious- your sig line lists a Toshiba DVD 2930ci. By any chance could your unit actually be a Denon? They have a model with the same number, which I have been looking at, since the close-out prices are excellent and it plays SACD, DVD-A, DVD video in very high quality, CDs and CDRs. I'd run the redbook CD playback through a DAC, probably a Music Hall 25.2. Would love to have a one box solution for all video and audio discs (WAF issues) and reviews say build quality is overall very good. But there are also lots of reports of the lasers going out after a year or so on this model, usually just after they go off warranty...

 

[TJLitt]

oops, sharp eyes! I was actually looking at that Denon as a Universal player for the wife(and this setup, and transposed the numbers). Darn! Now I have
to edit the sig lines again! Thanks.

 

[wsjoe]

I think almost all external DAC will beat the sound of all multi disc player systems. Good for you!!!