Do cd players have optical digital out connections or do I need a dvd player to get that?

Question

What is the best connection to get great cd sound?

Answer 1

Some CD players have digital optical (or digital coaxial) and some don't. All SACD players have some type of digital output. They need it because they are transferring more than two channels to the receiver.
If your CD player has digital output, you might want you use it, but, you might not. That depends on which component has the best digital to analog converter. You want to get the digital signal to the best or your two possible digital to analog converters.
So, if the CD player has the best converter, you should use the analog output on the CD player to deliver an already converted signal to your receiver.
If the receiver has a better digital to analog converter, then use the digital output on the CD player and have the receiver do the conversion.

Answer 2

Most CD players only have RCA stereo out because most CDs are stereo. Optical digital out is typically found on devices with surround sound audio. Since most DVD movies support surround sound, then almost all DVD players have optical digital out.

If you have a fancy CD player that has digital out, that would be the way to go. You can always use a DVD player with digital out as a CD player. Digital out would be a good start.

Then, the next step would be to get a solid surround sound receiver with speakers and sub.

Answer 3

If your receiver has a better DAC then this would be a great idea. If the CD has better resolution use the 2 channel audio outs you the best sound. Between optical and Digital Coax I say coax for the best sound in this application given your receiver has the better sampling. Other wise use good interconnects for 2ch stereo.

Answer 4

depends on what you are connecting them to. If you are using a portable cd player then you need good quality component cables, gold or platinum plated. If have a cd system you should upgrade and get better component wires like i mentioned above, they can cost from 50usd to well over a hundred.