English playwright William Congreve was very insightful when he said, “Music soothes the soul.” Music certainly can soothe, or it can suggest any other desired emotion, especially when the sound is lush and dynamic. For those seeking to upgrade their existing system, the recent Consumer Electronics Show featured several options that we recommend. The first and simplest thing to consider adding is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that can simply be connected to your existing stereo receiver. Simply put, a DAC converts digital information—which is great for compression purposes but can limit the authentic range of the sound signals—into analog signals that allow for a sound that more authentically replicates the original source. DACs are available in many shapes and sizes, from those suitable primarily for headphone use to those more appropriate for a home audio system. A DAC is an ideal way to unlock the full potential of music from CDs. …