Can Sonos use the DAC in a CD5x?

Posted by: Maughan67 on 13 September 2017

I have recently moved to the dark side and am now enjoying streaming.  

I am about midway through the process of ripping FLAC copies of about 700 CDs. I am using a Sonos ZP90 streamer into my Naim pre and power amps. I have read many many forum posts comparing the sonic and practical pros and cons of streaming and of various DACs etc., and done various blind comparisons, but I am satisfied that streaming via Sonos is sounding every bit as good as (if not better than) using my CD5x. Plus I love the ease of use of  Sonos. 

My CD5x and its Flatcap 2x are therefore now sitting redundant. However...

I wondered if it were possible to use the DAC in the CD5x instead of the DAC in the ZP90. Are there any possible settings or connections to do that? If so, is the CD5x DAC superior to the Sonos DAC (on paper)?

 Thank you!

Matt

Posted on: 13 September 2017 by ChrisSU

Now that you have seen the light, flog the CD5/flatcap and start saving for a nice used NDX 

Posted on: 13 September 2017 by hungryhalibut

Alternatively, sell the CD5x, the 202, the Flatcap, the napsc and the Sonos and get a 272. As the CD5x has no digital inputs, you can't use it as a DAC anyway. 

Posted on: 13 September 2017 by Maughan67

Thanks for your responses.  The answer to my specific question seems to be that there is simply no digital input on the CD5x. So that's that. 

However, you have now got me all interested in the 272! 

(Having said that, I am going to try to resist the urge to go down that upgrade path.  I've got everything sounding great at the moment, following a few recent upgrades and the implementation of streaming.  So I think I'm better off just enjoying what I've already got.  For now...)

Matt

Posted on: 14 September 2017 by Bertie Norman

Matt, an alternative approach would be to sell the Cd player and power supply and buy a used nDac. You would retain the convenience and user friendliness of the Sonos but should get a big improvement in sound quality.

BN

Posted on: 14 September 2017 by NickSeattle
Maughan67 posted:

.  .  .  but I am satisfied that streaming via Sonos is sounding every bit as good as (if not better than) using my CD5x. Plus I love the ease of use of  Sonos. 

My CD5x and its Flatcap 2x are therefore now sitting redundant. However...

I wondered if it were possible to use the DAC in the CD5x instead of the DAC in the ZP90.  .  .

What are you hoping to gain, if you think the Sonos sounds as good or better than the CD5X by changing the Sonos to running through the CD5X, were it possible?

I say, dump the CD5X and be done.

Personally, I dumped the Sonos Connect, and kept the CD5X, such was my opposite impression of the comparison.  Now I use an NDX-FM and am happy that it approximates what I like about the CD5X very closely.

There is room for many opinions on this, of course.

Nick