You said it Elizabeth! Get something like the WrightMod Signature version of the Perpetual Technologies P-3A DAC and you'll be amazed at how good your ordinary CDs will sound. Since I have quite a few CDs it made sense for me to go that route and I'm glad I did.
3 free DVD-A s arrived: what I think;
Got my (4 month wait) 'free with purchase' DVD-A's from Panasonic and here's my opinion of the sound. First was a '70s release remastered for the zillionth time: Emerson Lake & Palmer's thing with the wierd babe on the cover. That was ok and had decent sound, as good as any CD... Then also got Marchant's "Tigerlilly" and that too was as good as a good CD... The last and best was a Beethoven recorded spcifically for a DVD release and that was FAB!!! I have NEVER heard such a wide dynamic range on ANY CD. It really sounded like an orchestra was playing. The sound was better than any CD I've heard and it was 5.1 though I only have a normal 2 channel. I would get more if they were available AND didn't cost $25!!!! If they were the same price as CDs I would get some.. but at the $25 rate??? screw that... (and who wants some more of the same old "remastered" stuff??) I think I'll invest in a better CD player instead