Oh look, I had a DAC all along!

[visionary]

I'm a bit slow...

Been thinking about getting a Beresford to improve the interface between my PC and my hi-fi. Then I realised that my Sony minidisc player has a digital in and can be used as a DAC with the SPDIF from my PC.

WOW! I can see what you're all on about now!

so, the thing is, will I benefit from a standalone DAC over the "free" one that I've discovered I already had?

The Sony makes things sound a bit "bright" compared to what I've been used to but that may simply be the sudden comparison, or is it shortcomings in what it can do? Certainly loads more detail and stereo imaging already.

 

[idc]

Hi Visionary. Nice discovery! I think that you should search to find what DAC is in the minidisc and then do another search to try and find other products that use the same, or a similar DAC. I did that when I got my amp to find that it's DAC is similar to the Fubar USB DAC, which is £124. I am sure a future upgrade would be worthwhile, but it gives you an idea of what to aim for.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

visionary:
I'm a bit slow...

Been thinking about getting a Beresford to improve the interface between my PC and my hi-fi. Then I realised that my Sony minidisc player has a digital in and can be used as a DAC with the SPDIF from my PC.

WOW! I can see what you're all on about now!

so, the thing is, will I benefit from a standalone DAC over the "free" one that I've discovered I already had?

The Sony makes things sound a bit "bright" compared to what I've been used to but that may simply be the sudden comparison, or is it shortcomings in what it can do? Certainly loads more detail and stereo imaging already.

I would say that your amp and speakers are important to know about before giving advice on an external DAC and whether you are using lossless files or not. If you are you using your Denon receiver for amplification, I doubt that you would hear much benefit from an external DAC like a Beresford.

 

[John Duncan]

And as gerrard hints at, you have a DAC in your Denon 1909 as well...

 

[visionary]

oops sorry, different system, different room

Technics SU808 amp, Tannoy Ascot speakers, Cambridge CD5 player

Take the point about the Denon in the lounge - will experiment with that also

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Whoop Whoop!!!

I have got one too. Sony minidisk MDS-S40.

Thanks for the heads up. It'll do for now!

Leeÿ

 

[idc]

Try googling 'what DAC is in a sony minidisc?'. There are loads of people using the minidisc DAC!

 

[Gerrardasnails]

visionary:
oops sorry, different system, different room

Technics SU808 amp, Tannoy Ascot speakers, Cambridge CD5 player

Take the point about the Denon in the lounge - will experiment with that also

Thanks

I would stick with the Sony DAC then unless you were to upgrade else where first.

 

[visionary]

Gerrardasnails: I would stick with the Sony DAC then unless you were to upgrade else where first.

Ouch!

Where do you suggest I start then?

 

[Gerrardasnails]

visionary:
Gerrardasnails: I would stick with the Sony DAC then unless you were to upgrade else where first.

Ouch!

Where do you suggest I start then?

Obviously depends on your budget but I think if you bought an external DAC like the Beresford or the DacMagic, your amp and speakers won't get the best out of it. Only my opinion.