Do I need a DAC?

Mike,

I have not yet purchased 25, so don't know if what you're hearing could be attributed to a poorly mastered album? Have you heard the vinyl in your system? Alternatively, when you play other CDs, do you experience the same annoyance? Try it tomorrow with a different CD following your vinyl session.

Trying to remember where the Chrysalis slotted in on the Chord ladder...you might consider demoing a newer Chord between your 400 and 202. Alternatively, if you have the space and dosh, the nDac is a fantastic performer, and will certainly compliment the rest of your system downstream. 

When it comes to cables, I'm a firm believer that the interconnects (where lower level signals reside) are the most critical to first get right, if funds are pressing.

Regards

Aric

Mike Gundry posted:

So do I need a DAC to make my existing sytem sound warmer with CDP ? With out spending to much!

You might. I don't know the Densen CD player ; if it is the DAC section of the player that is the cause of the brashness, then yes you could find a warmer sounding DAC. If it is the CD transport section that is imparting the brashness (possible, but less likely) then you'd be better off switching to a CD5XS, which doesn't do brash, unless it's in the recording.

But first, as Aric says, try different interconnects ; they really can change the tonal character and make the difference between edgy and engaging.

I wouldn't bother purchasing a DAC for Adele.

Chag -

You're comparing a less than £2k CD player to a TT system in the £6k class.  What do you expect?

Let's be honest, litening to any CD source after listening to your LP12 is likely to result in disappointment... vinyl just sounds so much better.  Try listening the other way round in future... CDs then vinyl; the sun will shine once again.

I'm basing my comments on the fact that you've got some very resonable kit here, so I would add that incorporating a DAC into the system, whilst bringing a level of improvement, is never going to bring your CD source up to the level of your vinyl source.  Sorry if this disappoints, but you did ask 

Roger

ok I will take a counter view to RJStaines - I have heard fully loaded LP12 matched by a NDS/555PS/555PS playing rebook rip - yes the masters were slightly different - and ultimately the LP was noisier and the NDS had a more clean  sound  - but I certainly wouldn't say one was clearly better than the other..just different. (system was 552DR/500 into Kudos Titans - can't remember the TT preamp)

Vinyl can be great and it can be appalling - just like CD..

Now it is fair to say there are some LP recordings from the early 60s that sound sublime that are only on aging vinyl - that can certainly be a driver for a TT and it was mine - but not for SQ alone.

I would listen to a few other CDs first; Adele's 21 was the worst album I have ever heard on my CDSII. Maybe 25 is similar! Turned my system into a 50quid midi system from Argos!

Greetings Matt

All you're hearing is a sh... CD. There are equally sh... sounding vinyl LP's around. In general i have a slight preference for most vinyl, but your Densen is a good player and would shine with a well mastered CD. Simple as....

Has anyone tried Japanese cd releases for Adele and other very recent (and very compressed) pop recordings?  Are they any better?

no - I would generally be surprised if it was much different - as it does appear to be style it was recorded and mastered in overall. I know my vinyl copy of Adele 21 was hyper compressed on the vocals and spitty - quite appalling - in fact probably fair to say it is the worst quality LP album I have ever owned