Inbuilt DAC Classé CP-800mk2

[lassej]

Hi,
How good is the inbuilt DAC in the Classé CP-800mk2? Is it worth to spend some money in new DAC like the Auleric Vega, for mentioned on example?
I play music via my HTPC, built for only playing music, with a Lynx DAC board-> XLR -> CP-800 XLR analog input.
And a:
Mini mac -> USB -> CP-800
In both cases: JRiver and all music files on a NAS connected via Supra Ethernet cables.

And the HTPC with Lynx sound better than the mini mac via USB to the inbuilt DAC in the CP-800mk2.

I know that the Lynx DAC is a good one. Some of my hifi friends also have the Lynx card and have compared it with much more expensive DAC's and they think the Lynx is doing a good job. Compared to a MSB Analouge DAC the said it was just a matter of taste which one you prefer. I didnt have the possibility to compared it by myself.

What is your experience? Is worth to upgrade with a better DAC compared to the Lynx and/or the inbuilt DAC in the CP-800mk2?

Thanks!

/Lasse

 

[Thetiminator]

I demo'd the Classe a couple of years ago on the recommendation of my dealer. I was disappointed by it and found the Primare Dac 30 I had at the time to be in a different league. The Classe sounded thick and slow by comparison. Out of interest I tried it against an old Chord Qute dac I had in the back of a cupboard. In my system the Chord outclassed the Classe too....

I should add that when using the Classe Dac it was out putting through the Classe's preamp stage where with the other dacs I was using an old mark levinson pre. So to be fair I cannot be sure whether the pre or dac section was below par.

Hope that helps.