CD Transport or streaming or new DAC?

[Hibster_2000]

For those with 5he knowledge or experience.

Is it worth me investing in a budget CD transport, or should I rip the CD to a lossless format using exact audio copy (or similar) using my audio PC? Both would use a Caiman SEG.

The SEG is run from a linear power supply, with Dorado and has the firmware upgrade. Would the money be better spent on a new DAC, if so, what? The SEG could be sold to fund part of the upgrade.

Overall budget would be about £500, so do I need to save some more money?

[hornucopia]

There'll be lots of differing ideas. BUT, as we're in 21C, I'd suggest Lossless downloads. I was wary of HDD storage but my ears can't hear any diminution in quality, certainly over a 'budget CD player'.
I use CDs as 'hardcopy' reserve.

WAtch out for the Vinyl hardcore responders......

[walpurgis]

I have a lot of CD's, so it makes sense to me to keep a CD player. I use one of mine with a decent DAC and get fine sounds.

[Hibster_2000]

Oh, I have Vinyl as well. I just find digital makes a nice low maintenance change.
I was thinking about getting an accurate optical drive to rip the music to SDD. I have built my PC so it has the minimum amount of moving parts inside. The only one being the current optical drive.
I have not gone mad on a linear power supply for it though.

[struth]

Have to say i dont spin many these days although ive an oppo.
Mostly just rip them. Its easier certainly and dont think there is any decrease in musicality. Might be the reverse, although thats subjective.

[Edward]

I simply rip (using EAC) any CDs using a PC. As of last weekend I now no longer have a dedicated CD player (Tom has it now for his secondary system. :)).

IMO a well sorted CDP will beat hands down a thrown together file based system. Likewise a well sorted file based system will beat a basic CDP. Personally I find having a file based system more flexible (for example being able to stream the same files either locally to many end points or externally).

I've never had or heard a SEG. But I have found different DACs make a huge difference so with that in mind I think you may find it worthwhile trying out different DACs. If you find a good upgrade then sell the SEG, if not sell the new DAC. (< life of a box swapper. :eyebrows:)

[struth]

i used to use eac, but dont now. jrivers rips are as good now

[Edward]

i used to use eac, but dont now. jrivers rips are as good now

100% agreed. However JRiver costs money (after 30 days) whilst EAC is free.

[ianlenco]

If you have a dedicated PC for audio I'd consider converting it to a Vortexbox which is a dedicated Linux OS for music (and video if you want it). It's also free! I've had one for years although more lately I use an Innuos Zen mini which is Linux based and probably a development of Vortexbox. I've had various DACs attached and never found the Vortexbox to be the limiting factor plus the ease of use, ability to do playlists etc, and add ons such as BBC iPlayer and streaming service makes for a very flexible system.
So convert your PC and consider upgrading your DAC.

[Hibster_2000]

The PC has an Asus Essence STX II sound card, with upgraded Opamps.
I also use Fidelizer to cut back unwanted Windows services.

To my ears, I prefer the Asus onboard DAC but I am open to suggestions of what would be better.

[Intenso]

I tried a Cambridge CDX a while ago into my DAC and thought it was a step down from my Rpi2/Hifiberry+

I've since changed that set up to a rpi3+/Allo digione signature which was another step up.

I'd recommend going that route into your SEG...

[Hibster_2000]

What is a good upgrade path in terms of a new DAC?

[JohnG]

I have only recently found a place for Digital to take a prominent role in my system, I have been in possession of Vinyl Front End Based system since the early 90's and in 2017 put a CD Player into my system for the first time.
The CDP was a Cambridge Audio Azur 540C, so about a £40 used item.
It done enough to convince me to purchase CD's to investigate it further, and it is safe to say I had become a individual with a inquisitiveness to investigate digital further, so I went into trying out some Streaming Type Set Ups, with the most exotic being a Home System Audition on a Convert Audio £5000 device and down to another Home System Audition £500 device the brand I can't recall.
CD and Vinyl trounced the £5000 device in the Convert Owners system as these front ends were used on a second visit with two guests as auditioners. The £5000 sounded poor in comparison to the other front ends. The rest of the system in use on this day was very expensive.
On the £500 device the system had Stacked OTA Otec 2 Treble Panel ESL 57's so I know what to expect from these speakers, as I am a long time 57 owner and at present have OTA Otec Treble 57's.
I felt the Quads were falling very short on their overall delivery, and rightly or wrongly labled the Streamer as the weak link.
I use the two above as references as these were in dedicated home sysems.
I have listened to streamers in a few rooms at HiFi events and have not been captivated in those environments either.
All this adds up to my reversal on the streaming options and I am now using a Custom Built DAC that was first used with the Azur 540, this was a revelation as to what could be achieved in SQ, the Azur 540 is now in a cupboard, following the introduction of a PS Audio Perfect Wave CDP producing a SQ that is giving my vinyl set up a real challenge.
I like the idea of the accessability of mega amounts of music files, so as a result will work out away to achieve this for the purposes of having house filling background music.
It is more than likely going to be a two computer based set up, making the most of existing computers in the home via low noise SPDIF and the DAC.
When this is up and running it will be A/B compared to the Perfect Wave CDP > DAC to assess the SQ.
I am off the gas with this as a method at present and not even fluent in the language being used to explain it as set up, I have yet to Audition this set up in a system, but know some are doing similar things with NUC's and do not promote the Branded Streamer Route.
At present Branded Streamers are not for me, dedicated CD has a place, and Computer File Replays via a DAC is the area to be investigated.
I occasionally replay files stored on the Computer > VLC Software > Skybox >
Denon Amplifier > Tannoy Speakers and this being very basic when selecting the VLC side bar options for me is acceptable as background music, so I know there is a improved SQ to be extracted.
I have yet to use the Computer > 5K Player Software >Denon >Tannoys , as I haven't taken the time to set the Computer up without the Skybox included, the 5K Player will only play through the computer speakers and I have failed to divert to the Amplifier >Speakers, but the 5K Player out performs the
VLC when using it on a Cable connected Bluetooth Speaker.

[Dylanthecat]

Hi, last night I removed my SACD CDP (SA-15) and added a BlueSound Node 2i, digital coaxial out to a one-off DAC onto a valve pre amp and KT88 monos. Very please with the results. The BlueSound interface is very intuitive (manual is not). M

[bronzeage]

Getting a PC to sound as good as a good CD player can be fiddly and expensive, but does give a lot of flexibility. I found the BlueSound to sound better than my Fidelized PC, you can easily attach a portable hard drive to it, the software is very good, you can control from your phone or tablet. Use something like a nice Furutech power cable to power it, at least for me, gave a significant improvement.

An excellent DAC is the Roksan K3, these are available at a knock down price of £400, as it is discontinued, and the entire stock was bought out.