MD DAC saves the day

[bluecrab]

Thanks to my MDS-JA333ES deck, I just turned an Aiwa CD recorder of modest SQ into a very nice player. The Aiwa does have a complete set of opt/coax outputs (two of each), but it just didn't sound that great compared to the other source units I listen to, including the aforementioned JA333ES.

So I ran a a coax from the Aiwa to the MD and gave it a listen. Noticeable improvement in SQ! The 333 has a nice little rotary switch on its front panel that controls input selection, so I don't need to go into any menus or anything. It's nice having what amounts to a 2-CD changer that also records and now also sounds really good. No idea why I didn't do this some years ago, as there would probably have been improved sound using the DAC of the JB940 that was replaced by the 333.

I have also used the 333's DAC for output from iTunes on a MacBook Pro (it has opt out). That sounds nice, but IMO the standalone CD deck sounds better in comparison. FWIW, my integrated amp, while powerful and excellent, does not have digital in, so that route was not open to me. I'm not complaining, though, as the 333 is now DACx3: Itself, the Aiwa, and the MBP.

Just thought I'd slip in a little good news.

[PhilippeC]

I use all the time my JB980 as a DAC.

Music 24bit-96kHz listened with foobar2000

PC audio card Creative X-Fi Platinium (coaxial out)

JB980 (DAC + recording my MDs in real time)

Cyrus IIIi amplifier

Sansui S-7XV or Tannoy R1

[bluecrab]

Do those Sansui S-7XV's sound as good as they look?

[PhilippeC]

They gave me the first time the same sound experience than my first Rega Ella did. I paid them 200$ some months ago.