To DAC or not to DAC


I just purchased a relly nice Theta Miles CD Player to replace a Marantz 6000 OSE with a MSB Link DAC w/ Upsample chip. I love the Theta and the clarity and depth are much improved, not to mention the incredible build quality.

However, I wonder if it would make sense to use the MSB DAC with the Miles? I know the internal DAC in the Theta is great, but I wonder if it would improve or ruin the sound by incorporating the MSB DAC. If I understand correctly, by using the digital out on the Theta, I would be by-passing the excellent onboard DAC in the Miles....is this correct? If this is correct, I'm not real excited to turn this excellent player into a simple transport.

Please let me know what your thoughts are on this matter.

By the way the Miles unit is the balanced version.

Thanks for your input.
mhubbard

Showing 1 response by mhubbard

Hello,

Well, I did an A-B comparison......and there is no comparison!!!

The MSB is absolutely NO MATCH for the incredible Theta machine. Adding the MSB Link DAC was like putting a VW motor in a Porsche Turbo body. MSB is in a totally different class.

I have to say I'm relived that my money was well spent on the Theta Miles.