Cambridge CXA80: upgrading? how?

[lorcar]

Hi everyone, first time poster here.
Not an expert, this has been my setup for the last 5 years:

- AMPLI: cambridge CXA80
- CD PLAYER: cambridge CXC
- SPEAKERS: Focal Electra 1007 BE

i listen classical music, opera, chamber music, lot of piano solo, and lot of classic jazz (davis, coltrane, monk, dexter gordon, etc).
I listen 90% from CD, while 10% broadcasting radio to Google Audio Chromecast.

Question for you expert:
1- i read that the Cambridge CXA81 has an internal DAC apparently way better than the one on the CXA80 (Sabre vs Wolfson): do you think it is worth the upgrade?
2- or you'd rather suggest simply investing in an external DAC to be added to my existing set-up?
3- most importantly: would a better DAC be so important even if I listen mostly from cd, rather than streaming? I must confess my ignorance, so I am still not so sure what streaming for me would be: subscription to Tidal? Spotify? downloading mp3? converting all my cd library into digital files (hopefulluy loseless)? streaming from Amazon Music?

thank you very much in advance, as you can see I am still a bit confused

 

[Doodski]

Hi everyone, first time poster here.
Not an expert, this has been my setup for the last 5 years:

- AMPLI: cambridge CXA80
- CD PLAYER: cambridge CXC
- SPEAKERS: Focal Electra 1007 BE

i listen classical music, opera, chamber music, lot of piano solo, and lot of classic jazz (davis, coltrane, monk, dexter gordon, etc).
I listen 90% from CD, while 10% broadcasting radio to Google Audio Chromecast.

Question for you expert:
1- i read that the Cambridge CXA81 has an internal DAC apparently way better than the one on the CXA80 (Sabre vs Wolfson): do you think it is worth the upgrade?
2- or you'd rather suggest simply investing in an external DAC to be added to my existing set-up?
3- most importantly: would a better DAC be so important even if I listen mostly from cd, rather than streaming? I must confess my ignorance, so I am still not so sure what streaming for me would be: subscription to Tidal? Spotify? downloading mp3? converting all my cd library into digital files (hopefulluy loseless)? streaming from Amazon Music?

thank you very much in advance, as you can see I am still a bit confused

Welcome to ASR @lorcar

 

[lorcar]

I guess the qauestion has already been asked many times...

 

[abdo123]

you're likely not to experience any difference with a different amplifier.

 

[Taddpole]

1. No

2. No

3. Unlikely

What has brought about the need to "upgrade"? Is there a problem with the current set up?

 

[McFly]

You have a very nice system there. Enjoy it. There are no more night and day upgrades to be had, other than perhaps trying room correction with a Dirac equiped streaming device or MiniDSP between CD player and amplifier. There is no loss in “purity” too.

 

[lorcar]

thanks everyone.
No urgent need indeed. I am happy with the current system.
I do like clear, precise, tridimensional sound, and thought that a new DAC could help me achieve these dimensions in a better way.

So a new DAC would be needed only if i started listening streaming/MP3/etc?
thanks again

 

[bravomail]

thanks everyone.
No urgent need indeed. I am happy with the current system.
I do like clear, precise, tridimensional sound, and thought that a new DAC could help me achieve these dimensions in a better way.

So a new DAC would be needed only if i started listening streaming/MP3/etc?
thanks again

u r here, and it's a good thing. do some more reading. try to understand what u want.
if it's streaming - see which services offer lossless streaming, and which devices will support it.