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At what point is an external D/A converter warranted or beneficial

Over the years and after multiple "upgrades" I've become disillusioned with digital audio reproduction. As my systems improved in quality/resolution, the digital audio quality has equally deteriorated to where most listening is now done in analog. This makes my CD collection of in excess of 1000 titles pretty much useless. My digital D/A conversion knowledge is pretty much limited to whatever is done by the internal D/A converter of the equipment. That being a Lexicon MC12B processor and Oppo BDP103. As my choices of ICs went from basics to high quality resolution improved with a marked decline in digital SQ. I'm at a point where any Redbook CD presents a harsh, edgy, shrilly, bright, name it what you want, upper frequency. Changing ICs back to basic cables attenuates this along with resolution of the music played. You might say I'm at a loss. Do I live with less resolution or the digital limitations. I do not have this issue playing analog media. Would an external D/A converter be beneficial or a waste of money? 
Systems are: B&W 803D2 and surrounds,  Lexicon MC12B, Oppo BDP 103, AQ Columbia ICs XLR & RCA,  AQ Digital ICs,  Tara Labs speaker cables,  Rogue Pharaoh, VPI Prime . Analog front end shares the L/R front speaker and input from the Oppo. 
Is there such a thing as an external D/A converter for a H/T setup as the Lexicon processor is the oldest piece in the chain with most likely the weakest D/A converter. But how would that connect to avoid the internal processing.
Any suggestions or recommendations?

128x128gillatgh
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
Hi gillatgh,

     Great.  If you have good results, I can explain how to configure the audio on the Oppo's on-screen audio setup menu.for 2 ch stereo playback if you play your music cds through the Oppo.  I can also explain how to integrate your sub for both music and ht playback, too.

Tim
gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh OP
381 posts
 
@noble100,
That would be awesome. Much appreciated 
andrei_nz
192 posts
 
gillatgh
The Oppo is a pretty decent contraption.  My brother has the 105 and I noticed that it produced better sound in two channel than in 5.1.  There is some great Chi-Fi (eg Gustard X-26) running the latest ESS 9038 chip that could do you well in two channel.  You could use the Oppo as transport and the dedicated DAC for your two channell.  Also Okto will be putting out an 8 Channel that that has the best specs.  
https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8pro.htm
I will be getting one.

atl4love
91 posts
 
Find yourself a nos dac Tube , some dac sound so digital which is a big turn off for long listen periods that not what you want , what you want is a analog sounding from your digital front end   I got a mhdt labs pagoda with balance and tube buffer sound very analog and natural   Hope that help 
gormdane
35 posts
 
Nobel100’s suggestion is the best/most comprehensive one given gillatgh’s current setup (I was only initially thinking 2Ch stereo, but you can test the system on all fronts with his suggestion).  You’ll also get the bass management and more up to date processing features.  I still have an Oppo UDP205 in my system for video processing and I recall some time back with one of the firmware upgrades that four digital filtering options were subsequently added for those using it as a CD transport (which I did for some time an was quite happy).  Not sure if this option was extended to the BDP103 (make sure you have the latest firmware version anyway).  Anxious to hear your results/conclusions. 
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