My last upgrade will be a cd player. I was looking at the NAD 542 and would like some opinions on this model or other players in this price range. Would digital out be an improvement over my existing analog l/r outputs?

My last upgrade will be a cd player. I was looking at the NAD 542 and would like some opinions on this model or other players in this price range. Would digital out be an improvement over my existing analog l/r outputs?

Not sure I understand. Digital out would bypass the DACs in the NAD, so you'd just be using it as a transport. I'd assume that you'd be buying the NAD specifically for the DACs...

What are you using now as a CD player? How about the AVR or preamp?

Scott

My last upgrade will be a cd player. I was looking at the NAD 542 and would like some opinions on this model or other players in this price range. Would digital out be an improvement over my existing analog l/r outputs?
It would only be an upgrade if the DACs in your receiver are better than those in the player. It would have to be a pretty nice receiver for this to be the case.
(Of course, I think that the most likely outcome is no audible difference either way.)

It would only be an upgrade if the DACs in your receiver are better than those in the player. It would have to be a pretty nice receiver for this to be the case.
(Of course, I think that the most likely outcome is no audible difference either way.)

PULLIAM - you're assuming the OP is not using an external DAC already ;)

- Steve O.

PULLIAM - you're assuming the OP is not using an external DAC already ;)

- Steve O.
If that is the case, it is even less likely for either the NAD or switching to digital outs to be an upgrade. :)

The present cd player is an old Sony 5 disc player model # 305.. So digital out would not have any improvement of the sound? thanks for the help

The present cd player is an old Sony 5 disc player model # 305.. So digital out would not have any improvement of the sound? thanks for the help

As a couple other people have pointed out, probably not. Unless you're going to be connecting it to a high quality outboard DAC (or receiver/processor)...then you might get a better result.

Again, assuming that you're not using some sort of fancy outboard DAC, you would likely be much better off connecting the NAD via analog interconnects to your receiver.

Personally, I would think the NAD would be a nice improvement, but it'll be up to your ear and wallet to see if it's worth it.

Scott

My last upgrade will be a cd player. I was looking at the NAD 542 and would like some opinions on this model or other players in this price range. Would digital out be an improvement over my existing analog l/r outputs?

I was so close to pull trigger on Rega Apollo for my stereo source, but I bought MUCH MUCH cheaper SqueezeBox 3 from Slim Devices. I AM HOOKED. I highly recommend to you check it out, especially if you are going to digital out. SB3 has really low jitter via optical out. 192k feed internet radio sounds really at CD SQ. I no longer listen to same song twice .. unless I want to :) .