It all depends on the quality and resolovong power of the rest of your system.
The weakest link is the part that matters.
I still use old Sony ES changers for my CD transports.
I do use a DAC. but it is an older one. My SCD777ES onredbook CDs actually does sound very slightly better than my DAC, and this only after a lot of tweaking of my system (Bryston BP-26 4B-SST2 and Magnepan 3.6 speakers)
The bit which made a real difference for my CD playback was adding an expensive tube pre used as a glorified tube buffer.(VAC Standard used $1,500)
For my setup, it was the right choice.
Generally buzzword wisdom has little value except for folks who have no clue what to do next.
Dacs are 'hot' right now, and have a great deal of 'buzz'. Since dozens of new models are popping up all the time. Someone has to sell them.. Thus the marketing of DACs.
IMO a DAC is not going to do much for you if your system is average.
The weakest link is the part that matters.
I still use old Sony ES changers for my CD transports.
I do use a DAC. but it is an older one. My SCD777ES onredbook CDs actually does sound very slightly better than my DAC, and this only after a lot of tweaking of my system (Bryston BP-26 4B-SST2 and Magnepan 3.6 speakers)
The bit which made a real difference for my CD playback was adding an expensive tube pre used as a glorified tube buffer.(VAC Standard used $1,500)
For my setup, it was the right choice.
Generally buzzword wisdom has little value except for folks who have no clue what to do next.
Dacs are 'hot' right now, and have a great deal of 'buzz'. Since dozens of new models are popping up all the time. Someone has to sell them.. Thus the marketing of DACs.
IMO a DAC is not going to do much for you if your system is average.