External DAC or Onkyo TX-NR905?

[pete321]

I don't want to start another argument discussion about the merits of computer music over good quality CD players. I've had Cyrus and Linn CD players in the past and yes they're great, but I'm lazy, I want to sit down and create my playlist on-the-fly in windows media centre rather than keep getting up and down to change CD's after playing one track from each!

Given that the digital feed from my PC will go to my Onkyo TX-NR905, will I notice a big difference if I was to put a Beresford or Cambridge Audio DAC inbetween the two?

If yes, I assume the feed to the DAC from the PC has to be from a WAV file rather than a lossless codec, such as WMA Lossless?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Anonymous]

The Onk has Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-Bit Stereo DACs (PCM1796) - i don't think you will notice a big difference by going to Beresford or Dacmagic.

If you are wondering about formats, there is a thread on lossless. To save you the hassle - there is no sound quality difference between lossless formats!

 

[Anonymous]

The pre amp section is excellent, its only hampered with the radiation off its massive power supply 7x200wpc which unfortunately interacts with the signal paths.

However stabilising it with a pure Mains feed works wonders for the music giving a totally new listening experience.

That where it is best to spend your money IMHO.

 

[VoodooDoctor]

The 905 sounds good with music and has decent quality DACs. I'd recommend buying a decent quality digital cable to join your PC to the amp and then see what you think.

 

[Anonymous]

If you think it sounds good now you will be astounded with the Mains improvements.

A bit like going from the RS to the PL speakers!