A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is an electronic device that converts a digital signal into an analog signal. An external DAC is a DAC that is separate from your CD player, and it can be used to improve the sound quality of your CDs.
There are a few reasons why you might want to use an external DAC with your CD player. First, the DAC in your CD player may not be very high quality. Second, an external DAC can give you more options in terms of connectivity and features. For example, an external DAC may have multiple digital inputs, so you can connect multiple digital sources to it, such as a CD player, a computer, and a streaming device.
If you are considering using an external DAC with your CD player, there are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing one. First, you need to make sure that the DAC is compatible with your CD player. Most DACs have multiple digital inputs, so you should be able to find one that is compatible with your CD player.
Second, you need to consider the features that are important to you. Some DACs have more features than others, such as multiple digital inputs, headphone outputs, and volume controls.
Finally, you need to consider your budget. External DACs can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Here are a few of the best external DACs for CD players in 2023:
The Schiit Modi+ is a budget-friendly external DAC that offers excellent sound quality for the price. It has a single optical input and a single RCA output.
The Topping D10s is another budget-friendly external DAC that offers excellent sound quality. It has multiple digital inputs, including optical, coaxial, and USB.
The SMSL M300 MKII is a mid-range external DAC that offers excellent sound quality and a variety of features. It has multiple digital inputs, including optical, coaxial, USB, and Bluetooth. It also has a headphone output and a volume control.
The Audiolab M-DAC+ is a high-end external DAC that offers excellent sound quality and a variety of features. It has multiple digital inputs, including optical, coaxial, USB, and AES/EBU. It also has a headphone output and a volume control.
The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is a reference-class external DAC that offers the best possible sound quality. It has multiple digital inputs, including optical, coaxial, USB, and BNC. It also has a headphone output and a volume control.
If you are looking for the best possible sound quality from your CDs, then an external DAC is a great way to improve it. There are a variety of external DACs available at a range of prices, so you should be able to find one that fits your budget and needs.
Here are some additional tips for choosing and using an external DAC with your CD player:
- Make sure that the DAC is compatible with your CD player. Most DACs have multiple digital inputs, so you should be able to find one that is compatible with your CD player.
- Consider the features that are important to you. Some DACs have more features than others, such as multiple digital inputs, headphone outputs, and volume controls.
- Set the digital output on your CD player to match the digital input on your DAC. For example, if you are connecting your CD player to the optical input on your DAC, then you need to set the digital output on your CD player to optical.
- Use high-quality digital cables to connect your CD player to your DAC. This will help to ensure that you get the best possible sound quality.
- Experiment with different settings on your DAC to see what sounds best to you. For example, you may want to adjust the volume control or the EQ settings.
With a little care and attention, you can use an external DAC to improve the sound quality of your CDs significantly.
