CD Player vs Computer- Which sounds better?

[Adam2211]

Another newbie question I know but I would really appreciate some help.

I was wondering whether using a CD player would sound the same as using a computer if I was using an external dac and amp. Also, would I benefit from a more expensive CD player or would it sound the same as a cheap one as I'm bypassing both the internal dac and amp?

Thanks

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Another newbie question I know but I would really appreciate some help.
I was wondering whether using a CD player would sound the same as using a computer if I was using an external dac and amp. Also, would I benefit from a more expensive CD player or would it sound the same as a cheap one as I'm bypassing both the internal dac and amp?

As CD technology id 30 years old, I would assume most CD players (stand alone & computer) are about equal.

 

[Adam2211]

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry but I actually meant playing digital files from a computer as opposed to the CD player itself.
What about the second question?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry but I actually meant playing digital files from a computer as opposed to the CD player itself.
What about the second question?

If the computer's audio files are FLAC, then I believe then they will match the CD player's Audio CDs for audio quality.
 
I would think as long as the CD player comes with a digital audio output, like USB or S/PDIF (optical or coaxial),
Is to just get an external DAC & amp and connect it to your current CD player.

 

[tomb]

There's really no use for CD music players these days.  A computer with a hard drive and a high-quality external DAC is going to exceed all but the very finest CD players.  Even then, the differences would only be in the DAC comparisons - the CD's internal vs. the external one connected to the computer.  In a competition between an outright DAC with the highest quality parts and a CD player with a high quality DAC, the CD player is going to lose every time because of cost.  If you have to add in all the mechanics of the CD drive, the laser pickup and electronics, the digital interface for the selection readouts, etc., there's just no way the CD player is going to compete unless you pay 10X the price.