do I need a DAC if I only have a stereo system with CD player and receiver? Last time I shopped for system was 25 years ago &amp; never heard of DACs
798797
More than likely not. The CD player has it's own internal DAC. The external DAC is used to bypass the lower quality sound card in your laptop, desktop, iPhone, iPod, other digital source converting the digital signal to analog giving the user a higher quality signal to amplify.
1386825
the dac is if your pc sound card or mp3 player doesnt sound so great. You probably don't need one for QC 15
1416493
I don't know how good your DAC is, but if your going to use it as a transport there may not be that much difference between the two. The 95 is great if you use the internal DACS/ analog out, otherwise save your $.
1269943
It's only a two channel dac. It won't decode Dolby digital or dts. You'll have to set your player to output 2 channel PCM or buy a home theater receiver.
1325758
Why not come out of the pc with the dac? Sounds like you're still using the pc dac to convert the signal. Garbage in, garbage out.
1727179
This can be used like any other audio component in an audio system; cd player. To use the internal DAc, you just connect the L&R; RCA jacks into a receiver or pre-amplifier.
539668
No it does not have a dac. The sound is far better then a FM tuner ( I own the Marantz 10 B tuner which many believe is one of the best FM tuners)
1183231
I would also agree the Sony STRDH130 2-channel receiver would be a good choice to use with the CD player you mentioned. I just recently purchased one and its absolutely fine to get the job done.
1038815
You can get a great sounding optical DAC from Fiio for $25, and attach it to the back of this amp. http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B005PWPUW6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1353039917&sr=8-4&keywords=Fiio+DAC
1530484
ya got it all wrong; most people don't have optical or coax on their laptops unless they have a MAC, which I don't have.. n-e-wayz...... the usb has a dual purpose. not only does it carry the sound signal FROM your computer, it also powers this DAC. This DAC then does two very important conversions: (1) If you want your stereo to do the digital-to-analog (aka D-to-A) conversion, the DAC produces a digital signal for that purpose which leaves the device thru its coax and optical jacks, one of which should be connected to your stereo. (2) If your stereo doesn't have digital inputs (optical or coax) OR you think the D/A converter in this DAC is better than the one in your stereo, then you should connect the analog audio outputs on the DAC (the RCA connectors) to your stereo's AUX, TAPE IN, CD, etc. connectors.
60973
you would just use a set rca analog cables to hook it up to your preamp, but you have 2 volume controls. how about just hooking up your CD player via the analog outputs to this headphone amp if this is your source of music or if you have another DAC just hook it up the same way and bypass your preamp.... I had a preamp with no headphone jack so I did the same for awhile then I just use the headphone with my CDP. though if you try to hook up a turn table phono amp to headphone amps there always seem to pick up a hum or some noise the you could hear.
856490
Yes, this CD player requires a receiver or integrated amp to amplify the signal. You need a stereo amp/receiver.
1249867
Andre is correct. You don't need this for a car. I would look into a GROM audio adapter and see if that will work. If you're really lucky you might have a cd changer port on the back of your stereo. If so you can use the GROM usb3 unit to pump the digital audio directly into your car stereo and let the DAC in your stereo decode it for you. I just installed one in my 2000 accord and it sounds great. Otherwise you could use an FM bypass unit but I don't really like those. You're probably best off with the aux or bluetooth you already have.
798796
It depends on the quality of your CD player. An external DAC may improve the sound quality over that of the DAC built into your CD player. The CD player should have some type of "digital out" which bypasses your CD's DAC and sends it to the external DAC.
211361
Hello Oscar,You are completely right.You can surely conect any externa source of sound , you just need RCA outputs at your source device or any kind of output with the adapter cable.I have my audio player connected with the "mini jack" to RCA cable and it works great, so your CD player will work as well.Hopefully you will have as much fun with this "baby", as I have. GREAT sound .Regards.Marek
2005571
About this comment; "CD's sound decent but near as good as a system meant to play them"...is there a device I might purchase to play CDs on this system so that they sound great...not just decent?
711702
Just the headphones. You use the output directly into your sound system and adjust volume from there. I use the optical inputs from apple tv. It is an excellent, no-nonsense dac. Highly recommended.