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My $50 DAC

So all the positive reviews makes me think, :scratch2:

1) The CD or digital media actually has the analog information there, (on older recordings where the master was analog) -- it's just that trying to pull it back off the CD and push it thru current DAC's does not work right. (for lack of a better word)

OR

2) This Entech DAC is actually adding something to the information making it sound better.

It's got to be one of the two or both?

.
 
I have the 245.2 number cruncher - it does 24/96 though I'm not certain what this means in it's case - I don't have the manual. It doesn not pass SACD.
It is a big improvement over my other CD / DVD / plalyers direct outputs.

Been thinking I might push the envelope further with an old CAL alpha tube DAC or the Tjoeb 4000. - anyone heard either of these in comparison to their number cruncher ?
 
alright, I got "the unit". tried a standard rca "y' connector, and of course it didn't work. the back of my cd player has very simple. a left and right output. What type of cable do I need (I take it it's going to be digital or optical) Can I go to the optical port on the entech? if not, the only option I see is a y cable, because the entech has one input port, and the CD player has two outputs... help on this basic connection question would be much appreciated...

d
 
If you CD player only has left and right outputs it can't be used with an external DAC. A DAC needs to be connected to a digital output which is usually a single RCA connector or an optical connector.
 
holy smokes!

i'm hearing things from my old cd's i've never heard.

i've only played it for about 24 hours so far.

now i'm thinking tube buffer
 
thanks, doc ido. I'll check the high-end single player.
It's a Sony CDP-302es. On the back is an 8-pin computer style port that sez "unicode out". Does that translate to "digital output" and will it work with the DAC? thanks for fielding these rudimentary questions...
 
I ordered mine from Amazon, brand new for 49.99 pus 6bux shipping. (in case they are getting high on epay):D I can't wait to try it out, as I think my stuff will really benefit. I have an old Marantz and Yamaha that were probably some of the first to have digital outputs.:banana: It should be here any day, and a review will be forthcoming. Thanks for the tip, Jay
 
doctorbongo said:
thanks, doc ido. I'll check the high-end single player.
It's a Sony CDP-302es. On the back is an 8-pin computer style port that sez "unicode out". Does that translate to "digital output" and will it work with the DAC? thanks for fielding these rudimentary questions...
Click to expand...

I believe that output is for a system remote setup, and I don't think that it provides a digital audio signal. But, I have not seen one of those players for a long time, so...
 
doctorbongo said:
thanks, doc ido. I'll check the high-end single player.
It's a Sony CDP-302es. On the back is an 8-pin computer style port that sez "unicode out". Does that translate to "digital output" and will it work with the DAC? thanks for fielding these rudimentary questions...
Click to expand...

My Pioneer PD-M90x has a similar connector on the rear. I believe it is called "Subcode Output". Can anyone shed light on this for us? I do not have an owners manual yet and don't know what it's used for.

Paul
 
I've seen subcode outputs on various players, usually an 8 pin mini-DIN connector. It's for sending the subcode data (so many bits per frame) to external decoder for CD+G, CD+MIDI and other stuff that never actually came out. The actual audio data isn't available over this connector. I've only ever seen one CD+G decoder that used this connector and never any discs with CD+G or CD+MIDI on them.

As the connector on your Sony is marked Unicode rather than Subcode it's possible the digital audio is present on this connector, but it's not an SPDIF signal. You'd need to find a probably unobtainable converter to use it with your DAC.

It would be a lot easier to find a CD player that already has a digital output. Many Sony players have optical digital outputs. Many Yamaha, Denon, Philips/Marantz players have coax digital outputs. Most DVD players (even the cheapest ones) have both.
 
My PD-M90X does have a Coaxial Digital Output which I am currently using to hook up my DAC.

Thanks for the info on the Subcode connector.

Regards,
Paul
 
Ditto Paul's remarks, Doc Ido. I was thinking the same thing. The local pawn shops are bereft of audio gear lately, but one thing they have LOTS of is CD and DVD players. All for 30-50 a pop. Thanks for the straight info.

Oh, and this is also a great argument for asking about the manuals when you find gear. It's worth a shot, and would immediately answer these sorts of questions.

best,
dennis
 
I don't see it on Amazon. Epay has them. How does a 400 dollar DAC go for 45 bucks?

I have a TOTL JVC CDP but it's from 1995, will it really make a diff? And is the digital cable the only extra piece I have to buy?
 
Here's the link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...r_1/102-2069510-6694504?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

It sells for $49 because it's a discontinued model from the late '90's.

I was skeptical about it making a difference because my CDP is just a couple of years old and I was thinking the internal DAC would be more advanced and basically sound better than an old one. I was wrong. I've said it's been the most impressive sonic upgrade I've ever made in my stereo system ever for $50.

Yes a cable is all you need. I cheaped out and just got a coax and not the optical cable. I'll probably get an optical cable soon.
 
Acoustic... I suspect you will not find any additional improvement by using the optical connection.... assuming that you are using a reasonably good quality 75Ohm digital coax cable to begin with.
 
hpsenicka said:
Acoustic... I suspect you will not find any additional improvement by using the optical connection.... assuming that you are using a reasonably good quality 75Ohm digital coax cable to begin with.
Click to expand...

I agree. I now have two Blue Jeans coax, and they are fine. I had a chance to compare optical and digital cables at the Southern Fest, and I heard no difference.
 
Also, I just threw out about 30 burned CDs cause they were too harsh. Would this DAC have made them bearable? Oh Christ.
 
Depends on the source of burned media. Garbage in = garbage out. But yes this dac will help. I send my # cruncher thru a bada purer tube buffer and even high bit rate mp3's are listenable. On bit perfect eac rips I'd have to say it sounds nearly redbook incredible.
 
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