What's up with DAC?

[Aris A]

First of all I wish you all a prosperous New Year!!
I've been trying to digest everything I can learn about DAC's and I know alot of our fellow members are very knowlegeable when often I read tidbits regarding this matter. I still have questions which in need of answers before I can gauge myself if a DAC is foreseeable in the near future for my setup. My setup, I might say, is just average compared to some who are very lucky to have one way beyond my reach. Can someone redirect me on articles/pics about this matter? I am more interested in installation, compatibility with associated electronics either "audiophile" grade or "consumer" grade, recommended brands to look for and do's & don'ts in considering one to your setup. Just a thought, since cd players has built-in DAC's, when you add an external one, does it bypasses it? Thanks for your input.

Aris

 

[Jeff Zaret]

Aris,

In general DAC's are not that complicated to understand. To answer you last question first, yes. When a DAC is "inserted" it does bypass the CD's internal DAC. Of course this may be a simplistic answer but that is it in a nutshell. Some CD players but not all have the ability to add/use a DAC. Typically, the ones which do either have an optical or coax "out" on the back of the player. These are in addition to the typical RCA "out" jacks. If a player does not, it typically can not be done.

There are several different companies which make DAC.s and again simply put there are SS or tube. I believe there are more SS varieties available than tube and more than likely cheaper in comparison to some.

Installation is simple and it literally takes about 2 minutes unless you fall over, then maybe 5. What is typically done is a cable either optical or coax is plugged in to the back of a CD player and then the other end is plugged in to the input jack of the DAC. Then a cable(s) is attached to the output jacks of the DAC and goes to either a receiver or a preamp, everything else is the same from that point on.

I hope this helps. I did not want to get to long winded regarding what it is all about but I can and so can others here. You can email me if you like for more info.

Jeff

 

[lugano]

Welcome , Aris.

Concerning the recommendations you've asked for, I would suggest to point your browser at the following address:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11

and read every thread that has the word "DAC" in it, especially the ones which also include "first impressions"