Old NAD CD player - worth considering standalone DAC?

[unmutual]

I am using a NAD C-515BEE CD player. Not sure of the vintage as I bought it used, but it's probably 10-15 years old. I have already upgraded the speakers and amplifiers in my system, and now I am wondering if it would be worthwhile to invest in a standalone DAC?

It would be a bonus if the DAC also included a preamp with PEQ, a phono input stage, and streaming capability as this would allow me to simplify my setup (currently have separate preamp, streamer, and phono preamp). Are there other options than the Wiim Ultra that I should consider? I would rather not have to make significant performance concessions, though, just in order to get an all in one unit.

 

[DSJR]

NADs CD players were never ever what I'd subjectively judge as 'bottom of the pile' despite the bland grey looks and back then, lower costs. Not sure if you'd 'hear' any difference by using an external dac with now excellent performance potential, but the extra versatility in using one as you suggest, would be a bonus

 

[JeremyFife]

With the caveat that I don't know that NAD, you are unlikely to get any sound improvement by changing DAC.

However, adding PEQ / room correction plus all the other features you mention takes you well away from just a DAC change. PEQ/room correction will have the biggest beneficial impact on sound.

I'm not aware of anything else that offers the full functionality that you are looking for apart from the WiiM Ultra, not without spending a load more. If you don't need phono stage input, then the WiiM Pro Plus will do perfectly well, and there are also Bluesound options albeit at a cost. Looks like a WiiM Ultra to me.

 

[fritobugger]

If you are able to get your hands on a decent external DAC with coax or optical (coax is generally more stable I believe) inputs then why not try it. It is likely that it would measure better than the old internal DAC in the CD player. The copyright date on that linked owner's manual says 2007 so that CD player is approached 20 years of age.

Can you hear the difference with an external DAC? No idea. A second hand Topping E30 or SMSL M8 or a new SMSL PS200 or SU-1 might all be found for less than $100 possibly even $50.