HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Hi All, I bought a Cambridge Audio CD5 from a charity shop this week. It's got analogue and optical outputs but no digital out. Do you know if the signal to the optical output is digital, and if so, could I disconnect the optical output, fit a phono socket, connect it up to the output that went to the optical output and connect it to the digital input of my DAC? I can't imagine it would be that simple but would be pleased if it was....

The signal should be digital. Do you not have a TOSLINK input on your DAC?

I got one of these. It works well for me.

Ebay toslink to coaxial converter

Optical out is an SPDIF digital signal - same as coax digital.

Pretty well every DAC has an optical input. Toslink connections are fine for normal audio - just don't expect sonic nirvana.


EDIT: although .... looking at photos of the CD5, I do not see an optical output socket.

The onboard Wolfson DAC chip ought to make a pleasant enough noise anyway,

Okay - so according to Richer Sounds the latest version does have optical:

Sound quality is every bit as good as you'd expect from Cambridge, with a deep, controlled bass and natural, detailed treble. A standard optical output also allows for easy recording onto digital formats. The latest version of the CD classic will also play MP3 and CDRW discs, making it compatible with discs you've made on your computer.

I've got a CD5 SE somewhere, which does have a digital out, but with a BNC connector. I used a BNC - Phono adaptor.

It was OK but nothing special.

I've got a CD5 from year 2000. Can't even remember what outputs it has got. Still going strong

Sorry not to have thanked you all for your replies earlier, it's been a busy week. Cheers.