DAC For A Yamaha CD-S303

[Racer82]

I posted this in the forum for the Yamaha CD-S303 review. Posting here for more advice. My system is in my signature. Thanks

Long time follower, first time posting. Great website and excellent reviews. I have the CD-S303 CD player and always thought it sounded good but not great. I was comparing the sound quality to my Fluance RT85 and my Schitt Mani (1st addition). I have upgraded my TT to Pro-Ject X8 with a Hana EL and Pro- Ject Phono stage. And the new TT sounds amazing. I have now realized how poor the sound quality is of the Yamaha CD-S303. I was thinking of getting a DAC. I would like to connect the CD-S303 to a DAC but also have the ability to stream music via Amazon Music., XM and others. I was considering the Topping DX5 II, Fosi Audio XD3 or the SMSL RAW-MDA 1. But now I have read and watched reviews regarding the Schitt Mimir on WaveTheory and the reviews for the WiiM Ultra streamer by HiFi Huff. I am having a very hard time deciding on what to get. I have a max budget of $350.00. I am leaning towards Wiim Ultra or the Topping DX5 II but concerned about the audio quality of both. Any advice would be greatly apricated. TIA.

 

[staticV3]

If you want a single DAC which you can stream Amazon Music to and connect your CD player, then the WiiM Pro Plus is the perfect choice.

It's a fully transparent DAC, so will sound as good as any other regardless of the price.

Here's Amir's review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiim-pro-plus-streamer-review.50254/

The WiiM Ultra only makes sense if you want the screen, you're considering adding a subwoofer at some point, or you want to watch TV using the same speakers that you use for CD playback and Amazon Music.

 

[DVDdoug]

I seriously doubt there is anything audibly wrong with the DAC bult into the Yamaha.

The ONLY time I've heard a difference or defect from a "DAC" it was a soundcard that made noise when the hard drive was accessed. And if you do hear a defect from a DAC it's usually noise (hum, hiss, or whine in the background). Frequency response and distortion are almost always better than human hearing.

You can't really compare to vinyl. Vinyl will always sound different. Technically, vinyl is inferior, especially the noise which you can always hear between tracks or during quiet parts and sometimes you get nasty clicks & pops. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy, or even prefer it.

You have to be a bit careful comparing CD to streaming too, because they may have different mastering. And then if you want to make a useful comparison you need to do blind, level-matched, controlled listening tests.