Computer with DAC vs CD Player

Since you have a DAC why not try option 1 out as it will not seem to cost you anything, many are happy with computer-bases audio.

However a CD6SE is also a tempting proposition

Good luck!

I've edited my post. I don't know why I said have lol. I don't actually own a DAC or CD Player (or Amp for that matter; I've got another thread asking for suggestions regarding that). That's why I made this thread to get some advice on deciding whether computer audio is good enough with a DAC or using a CD Player really is better.

My opinion on this is documented at (yawn) length here

Beta4Me:

I've researched quite a bit but I ultimately confused.

Option 1:
I buy a high-quality DAC and connect it via Coaxial or USB (or Optical) to my computer and play a high-quality bit-perfect rip of a CD that is stored in a lossless format (such as WAV or FLAC) and then on top of this use a program with an ASIO output plug-in (so as to bypas the Windows Audio Stack)

Option 2:
I buy a CD Player such as the Cyrus CD6SE and use that.

Wouldn't Opt.1 & Opt.2 be very similar in sound quality? Or even Option 1 be superior as they will be no read errors as it is a perfect rip?

I've seen many differing opinions and I'd like to try and a get a (or as close to a) once-and-for-all (at least for me that is) on this topic. So what are your opinions? Many thanks...

P.S. the reason I'm asking this is because I'm purchasing a Hi-Fi system. I've just bought my speakers; a pair of ATC SCM 19s (Mint Ex-dem for a substantial discount). I am now completing the rest of the hi-fi and am tossing up between something like the Cyrus CD6SE (or 8SE) and the Cyrus DACX (or another comparable DAC). So yeah.

The Cyrus DACX and your computer would blow a lot of cd players out of the water. No brainer.

Gerrardasnails:

The Cyrus DACX and your computer would blow a lot of cd players out of the water. No brainer.

(which is a short version of my ramblings )

So basically if I ripped my CDs really well then a DAC vs CD Player (similar pricing) the DAC + Computer would be better?

Beta4Me:

So basically if I ripped my CDs really well then a DAC vs CD Player (similar pricing) the DAC + Computer would be better?

In my experience, yes - £200 DACMagic vs £800 Primare CD Player.

The "really well" bit is the key, obviously.

Beta4Me:

So basically if I ripped my CDs really well then a DAC vs CD Player (similar pricing) the DAC + Computer would be better?

Do you mean like a £500 cd player vs a £500 DAC? If so, a thrashing in my eyes. As John says, my DacMagic is better than any £500 cd player I've heard and people who have listened to my system cannot believe that I've not spent five times as much. Therefore I would say a Cyrus DACX, Chord 64 (my next purchase in a few years) would match most cd players under £2k.

Nice! The only problem I (might) have is if I get the Cyrus DACX it doesn't have USB input. I have a laptop which would be the device I use to connect to it. Anyone with experience with laptops would know that they don't have coaxial/optical out. Mine does have an HDMI out so I'm looking into getting an adapter to split into DVI with Coaxial and use the Coaxial out from that to connect to the DAC. Do you think that would still sound alright? Should I be looking at a DAC with USB--I personally feel the DACMagic is a bit cheap for the rest of my system (but, conversely, the Chord 64 too expensive)? What would be some options for that? Would the Benchmark DAC1 USB be a good choice? Or the DAC1 PRE seeing as I need an amp too (how would the partnership of that with the Bryston 3B-ST be?) Thank you (btw if I can stick with Cyrus I would like to--upgradability is great.)

Lots of laptops now have an optical out from the headphone socket (or some weird arrangement with the s-video socket or something in the case of Dells), but tbh I'd just get an airport express - stream from the laptop to it, which has an optical out and can be hidden behind your rack.

The DACMagic is cheap only in price

Really, I'm become quite strapped for cash now. I'd rather not buy an AirPort Express unless I need to (check my post in this thread: http://whathifi.com/forums/183316/ShowThread.aspx#183316 ). I'll ring Dell and ask them about outputting digital audio. My Laptop is an XPS M1530.

Likewise, as my budget has now become so stretched, I might have to get the DACMagic with the Cyrus Pre vs2 and 8 Power (or Mono Xs--testing will reveal whether the 8 Power can cut it for my speakers )

My dell inspiron has a digital out via the s-video socket, found it quite hard tracking down an adaptor.But fwiw found a supplier on ebay, here and he was cheap and reliable.

Beta4Me:

Really, I'm become quite strapped for cash now. I'd rather not buy an AirPort Express unless I need to (check my post in this thread: http://whathifi.com/forums/183316/ShowThread.aspx#183316 ). I'll ring Dell and ask them about outputting digital audio. My Laptop is an XPS M1530.

Likewise, as my budget has now become so stretched, I might have to get the DACMagic with the Cyrus Pre vs2 and 8 Power (or Mono Xs--testing will reveal whether the 8 Power can cut it for my speakers )

You won't be disappointed with the DacMagic. I will eventually buy a second hand Chord 64 or similar (just to see how much better it can be as I'm already very happy with my set up). If I can spot a deal, I know I could try it out and unless I was shocked by the difference, I would just sell it on.

Thanks for all your advice guys. In 3 days I'll be testing everything out. I'll get a chance to compare the DACMagic to the DAC X and I'll let you know what my results and thoughts are.

I recently sold my Cyrus set-up, but can confirm that Apple Lossless files streamed to Airport express hooked up to my DAC-X sounded identical to my ears as the CDSE and the CD XTSE (which my mate brought round) fed into the same DAC-X

The above test result led me to actually sell my seperates and follow the pc - active set-up. Im very happy with the results, and the cash Ive saved