Upgrade ideas - External DAC? or New Source CDP? or New Headphone Amp

[sassysound]

Hello all,

I'm looking to spend some money on some new sound toys. I don't really have a budget yet, but I want to know some of the upgrade path I can take.

Currently, I the sources I have are

M-audio, Sony Portable CD Player and a 4th Gen 20GB Ipod.

Then it those plugs into my Creek OBH-11 without the regulated power supply. From there, I either use ER-4p or HD-580 depending on what I feel like.

....I want more.

I was looking to see if upgrading the CDP to a real CDP (non portable) would make a significant difference but I 'm just not sure. If I'm geting a new source I want it to be better than all 3 of my sources and make a difference in the overall sound.

I'm an electrical engineer so I also thought about building a DIY amps. But again I'm not sure how it competes with some of the commercial amps. e.g. Pimeta and Mint, how do they compete against, say, headroom Home level products? or even against my OBH-11?

Could please throw some upgrade ideas? External DAC? New Headphone amp? New CDP Source? WHERE IS THE BOTTLENECK

I thank you in advance for valuable recommendations.

ss

P.S. I guess I'm only ready to spend less than $800

 

[1UP]

Sounds like you have a well-balanced system already.

I vote for source, followed by more CDs.

 

[Teerawit]

Go with a new source (if you're happy with your current headphones). Amp won't give you as much as what you're craving for.

It seems like you use the M-audio from a computer. Is the computer your main source of music? If so, then I'd recommend an external DAC.

If redbook CDs are your main source of tunes, then look more into a CD player if you wish.

I personally prefer DACs over dedicated CD players.

 

[philodox]

Definately time for a source upgrade. I prefer a stand alone CD player to a DAC myself, but DAC's are great in computer setups. For a very nice inexpensive CD player follow the link in my signature.

 

[sassysound]

Regarding the external DACs. If I use an external DAC, does it mattar what the quality of the source is? or i think some call it transport(right?). If it doesn't, I'll just sell my m-audio and put the money into getting a better DAC.

I listen to many CDs and also from computers. So, getting a external DAC seem to be a logical option, so that I can connect them to the comp AND my cd player. What kind of input does a DAC have? spdif?

What are the drawback in using the computer as source. I heard noise was an issue.

What are some good external DAC I can get? Also what are the things I need to be looking for in a DAC? What specs are important ? and where can I find info to correctly read and understand them?

Thank you very much for your recommendations. !

-ss

 

[philodox]

I think the transport is very important which is why I recommend a good dedicated CD player. However, many of the DAC's out there have features built in that get around some of these issues. I still think that a great transport is essential to getting the most out of your source though.

 

[Glod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sassysound Regarding the external DACs. If I use an external DAC, does it mattar what the quality of the source is? or i think some call it transport(right?). If it doesn't, I'll just sell my m-audio and put the money into getting a better DAC.

In my opinion, a computer based system will have a hard time to compete sonically with a dedicated mid-priced CDP. Noise is indeed one culprit I would think. I would say keep your computer system, but look for a dedicated CDP.

My 2 cents are: Read a lot of quality reviews about players, audition some and try to find a nice second hand example of your favourite for your $800.

EDIT: BTW Welcome to Head-Fi! "We´re sorry about your wallet"

You´ve been warned

 

[Teerawit]

It all depends on your personal preferences. Do you prefer the convenience of clicking to play a song you want, or do you want to switch discs in and out of a cd player alot?

Good dedicated CD players will have quality transports, but a decent cd player or computer + external DAC will also deliver nice performance.

Is jitter a big concern to you?

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sassysound Regarding the external DACs. If I use an external DAC, does it mattar what the quality of the source is? or i think some call it transport(right?). If it doesn't, I'll just sell my m-audio and put the money into getting a better DAC. I listen to many CDs and also from computers. So, getting a external DAC seem to be a logical option, so that I can connect them to the comp AND my cd player. What kind of input does a DAC have? spdif? What are the drawback in using the computer as source. I heard noise was an issue. What are some good external DAC I can get? Also what are the things I need to be looking for in a DAC? What specs are important ? and where can I find info to correctly read and understand them? Thank you very much for your recommendations. ! -ss

A DAC can have USB, coax, or toslink digital inputs.

If you use your computer as a transport, you're going to need a digital output from your computer's sound card, so I'd keep the M-audio if it has a digital output.

Noise is an issue if you have a physically loud computer (loud case fans, etc.).

External DACs vary in price, but there are several recommended ones at Head-Fi for less than $1000.

Specs on a DAC don't paint the entire picture. Sure, a CD player or DAC can have the same DAC chip as in a Meridian CDP (or other high end dedicated CD players), but it's the implementation surrounding the chip that counts.

 

[sassysound]

I see.

Thank you all for your input.

So it seems like my source is the weakest link in my setup. I'll look in to some DAC and some dedicated CDP.

Where can I find these head-fi recommended DACs?

Also, does anyone know a place in Atlanta where I can just go and try out some of the CDP, and headphone amps out?

Regards,

-ss