Re: AT analog output

If you notice the difference in bass, you need to try
a DAC (digital-analog converter). If you don't want to
replace your receiver just yet with one that includes
an internal dac, get a used external dac on ebay or
audiogon.

I use an Audio Alchemy Dac-in-the-Box made in the
early 90s with one of my ATs, and a MSB Link DAC with
the other. Major difference compared to the AT analog
outs, particularly in the bass.  When I first got my
AT, I was disappointed thinking mp3 encoding was
responsible for removing the low end. Adding the DITB
($50 off ebay 4 years ago) brought my '-preset
extreme' mp3s close enough to my CD player for me not
to notice the difference day to day.

If you do a search , there are arguments as to the
difference a DAC will make.  Some people notice a big
difference, some don't. For me, it made a world of
difference.  If you notice your CD player has much
better bass, you probably will too.

-Andrew


--- Jeff Baskin <[email protected]> wrote:

> Recently, I plugged my CD player back in and
> actually played a good old
> fashioned original CD. I was suprised how good the
> CD sounded after many
> months of only playing music through the AT. So, I
> tried a little
> experiement comparing the same track ripped
> differently against the CD
> played through the CD player. Now keep in mind, my
> CD player is nothing
> special. It's a rather old Denon 5 disc changer
> using analog outs.
>
> First, I compared the track ripped at 128 kb/s using
> MusicMatch against the
> CD. Well, I don't have to tell you what a joke that
> was.
>
> I then compared again with the same track ripped at
> 320 kb/s using EAC/LAME
> preset insane. The difference was noticeable, but
> the CD still sounded
> significantly better.
>
> Finally I compared the WAV ripped using EAC. I
> thought that the WAV at least
> had to be at least close to the CD in quality, but
> it was barely any better
> than the 320 CBR mp3.
>
> Now, I am using the analog outputs on the AT, so I
> had to adjust the volume
> when comparing, but there was also a very big
> difference in the depth of the
> sound especially in the base. Even the WAV had much
> less base than the CD.
> So, here are my questions: Is the analog output on
> the AT SO BAD to explain
> such a difference? Is there any way to improve the
> quality of the analog
> outs without opening up the box? Should the quality
> of a WAV played through
> the AT digital out be at least as good as a CD
> played through a decent
> consumer grade CD player with analog outputs?? I
> just would like to know
> what kind of difference I should expect before
> blowing $$  on a new receiver
> with optical inputs.
>
> Thanks for your input.
>
> Jeff
>



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