Dac or AVR

WagBoss
WagBoss Posts: 108
edited February 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
Currently I am using the spdif out of my computer to a Kenwood VR-410. Just using 2 ch. What price range of DAC would I have to look at to get a noticeable upgrade in sound quality? Any recommendations on brand? I would prefer a usb one.
Post edited by WagBoss on
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    how much better would it sound then a 500$ avr though? I'd just be putting the DAC outputs back into the AVR and use it as an amplifier.
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    I guess I should mention I am using speakers and not headphones.
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    fastz28 wrote: »
    This is how i would set it up-- flac files thru -- foobar audio player with aiso drivers --usb out to
    Audinst HUD-mx1 then rca to inputs on receiver or preamp

    yeah I'm using flac and foobar atm; so you think it is worth the 180 dollar upgrade?
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited February 2012
    Honestly I wouldn't bother, I would instead focus on upgrading the receiver. What kind of speakers are you driving?

    I'm not saying you won't hear a difference with a new dac, but right now that receiver is the weak link...
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    Honestly I wouldn't bother, I would instead focus on upgrading the receiver. What kind of speakers are you driving?

    I'm not saying you won't hear a difference with a new dac, but right now that receiver is the weak link...

    yeah it's my old one, this is just my computer set-up i made from stuff i don't use in my main system. just using polk m10s

    I was thinking after getting a DAC I could just grab an integrated amp or something and then get new speakers eventually. Or you think I should get the integrated amp first and I can use my sound card (creative soundblaster pcie x-fi xtremeaudio) as a pre-amp till i buy a dac?
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited February 2012
    You may be able to hear a difference, but I doubt it and am even more skeptical that it would be significant.

    I would use that money elsewhere.
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    You may be able to hear a difference, but I doubt it and am even more skeptical that it would be significant.

    I would use that money elsewhere.

    yeah that was my intial thoughts, I feel like I can't upgrade anything really unless I upgrade everything lol
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    any suggestion what I could upgrade first or what would make the biggest difference?
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited February 2012
    WagBoss wrote: »
    yeah that was my intial thoughts, I feel like I can't upgrade anything really unless I upgrade everything lol
    Well you gotta start somewhere. The key is to do it right the first time as much as you can.

    Pick a component to upgrade, and go all the way. That doesn't mean you have to spend 2 grand on a dac, just do what you can afford.
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    fastz28 wrote: »
    If you have monitor 10s thats not a weak link. I have monitor 10bs with peerless tweets dyno mat sonic cap/mills and I would have to spend alot of money to beat them. Get a good integrated amp and the dac and rebuild the 10s xovers and youll be in for a treat

    lol, m10 not monitor 10.

    I guess the proper name is M10
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    fastz28 wrote: »
    with those speakers your receiver should be fine

    i think you misunderstand my questions lol. Is it worth it to get a dac, if not, what should I upgrade?
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  • WagBoss
    WagBoss Posts: 108
    edited February 2012
    fastz28 wrote: »
    If using flac files thru aiso drivers thru foobar its a must for a good dac.
    If playing 128mp3 thru music player dont bother

    why is it a must for a good dac? just because its 24 bit/ 96 khz ?
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