Need advice for CD listening.

[bchivers]

Hi, I am new to Audioholics and am enjoying it very much. I have some questions about sound quality of CDs.

1) Is there much of a difference between coax. and optical audio? I have a Marantz CC3000 CD player with coax. digital output.

2) I don't have a DVD player but if I buy one with a optical out and DAC would my CDs sound better?

3) I have been reading about the OPPO OPDV971H ,I have about $200 to spend,would it sound better than my Marantz?

4) Is there anything else in this price range I should consider?

5) Can I add an optical out to my Marantz?

TIA.

[j_garcia]

1) No

2) Depends on the player and the DAC, but if you get a cheap player and a good DAC, probably.

3) No

4) Sony 2000ES from www.oade.com is $200 right now I believe. Good redbook, very good SACD.

5) Not internally.

I used to have a CC4000 and I didn't find it to be a very good player to be honest. If you're looking for a DVD player also and don't need SACD, Cambridge Audio has the 540D that is said to be an excellent redbook player and also a decent DVD player.

[bchivers]

I would like to get something that plays DVDs as well. Saw this one Sony DVP-NS90V HDMI SA-CD Single Disc DVD Player(http://www.ritebuys.com/viewitem.php?IndexID=14297&RefTag=froogle) don't know how the audio play back would.

[j_garcia]

Can't help you with that player, but if you are going to use a digital connection to a DAC or even to a receiver with decent DACs, you won't have to worry too much about the player's audio capability. At $200, I don't think most DVD players will be better than your CC3000. Sorry, forgot that the 540D is over your budget. Quality wise, the Sony players seem pretty good. I have one that is about 6 yrs old and it still works.

[bchivers]

I have been reading some reviews on the Yamaha DVD-C750 DVD Changer,it has excellent reviews especially the audio section. This is what I will buy,just need to find the best price. Thanks for your help.:)