Improving CD player performance

[bernmart]

Okay. After substituting a HK 430 for my cheapo SONY receiver, my Fortes sound wonderful, especially with LPs. CDs are also better, but not quite as sweet. My guru Flynn, anticipating this, pointed me to a MSB LINK DAC on eBay, but someone bought it almost immediately.

I notice that my CD player--a Denon DCM-260--has only one output; no choice between analog and digital output. Could this be part of the problem? If so, is the only way to fix it to get a new/better CD player, or supplement it with a DAC, or. . . .? If the latter, there are several on eBay; any preferred models? As always, you guys are a terrific resource.

Thanks in advance, Bernie

[D-MAN]

I would look at a higher quality player, and preferably not an Asian product - I've had 'em in the past and they pretty much suck, IMO. Granted US/UK/CAN gear is much more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

For what you have now, as a tweak, I would try silver interconnects, they make a difference and reduce "graininess" to a degree. Use as short of a run as possible, like 1/2 meter. Benefits are that it is a improvement that you can hear that is cheaper than replacing the player, and you can also use it with the "new" gear when you get it.

DM

[oscarsear]

I very much like my Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 DAC, if your doing a DAC. If you're looking to replace the player then I suggest you look for one that plays the SACD modes. I'm sure you can get lots of recommendations here.

[bernmart]

D-Man and others, what's the best source for silver interconnects?

Also, any downside to getting a SACD player and playing my pretty large CD collection through it? Will my "old" CDs sound better?

Thanks, Bernie

[oscarsear]

I use RS Cables silver interconnects and speaker cables. (www.rscables.com) They're solid silver and not a ton of $. Can't help you with the SACD ?. I run a Jolida N2 my DAC for 2 channel. I have a Denon 2900 DVD/SACD in my HT but have yet to use it for SACD music. Good Luck!!

[seti]

Can any CDP be used as a transport for a DAC?

Musical Fidelity A324 24 Bit Upsampling DAC

and Music Hall MMF CD-25 single CD player w/remote

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3280&item=5735179821&rd=1

6922 Tube DAC PCM-63 PK Decoder for CD-Player

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14974&item=5735592710&rd=1

THETA COBALT DAC D/A CONVERTER DIGITAL CD

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14978&item=5736023860&rd=1

[leok]

If you don't have a power line filter, it's a good place to start, because the better your components are, the more you will notice the difference. Belkin F5C980-TEL is inexpensive, available at Staples, and effectively filters out much of the RF noise that gets into everything. Digital sources can be particularly sensitive to rf noise.

Leo

[nicholtl]

What about the Bel Canto DAC2?

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=BELCANDAC2&product_name=Design%20DAC2%20Digital%20to%20Analog%20Converter