What to spend more money on: external DAC or pre-amp?

fatchowmein

Alright, so my last thread seeking a comparison between a DAC from an AVR vs an external DAC (Onkyo 805 vs Benchmark DAC1) culminated in an overwhelming support for a quality external DAC. Let me try this from a two channel angle. Let's assume you're running LSi15's with 300W per channel in a medium size room and you're using a budget CD player or Squeezebox with spdiff (let's avoid the optical vs coaxial debate) and no vinyl. How important is the pre-amp when you're using a quality DAC like the Benchmark (DAC1 or higher) if you're budget is $1,500 for a pre-amp and DAC? Do you spend as much of the budget as possible for the DAC or do you need to give serious consideration to the pre-amp for things like bass management and whether the pre-amp will color the output?

Basically, how would you put together a system like this with a $1500 budget assuming you already own the digital player, amp, and speakers?

digital player -> external DAC -> pre-amp (or receiver)


Does anybody have a "giant killer" 2 channel digital playback solution on a budget?

How about a shoestring budget (you define shoestring)?

AndyGwis

Maybe get some Musical Fidelity gear. They have great Preamps and DACs.

Or, they make a preamp, cd player, and DAC all in one. . . Think it's the CD Pre-24. They go for $1000 - $1500 used on Audiogon.

Gaara

fatchowmein wrote: »

Does anybody have a "giant killer" 2 channel digital playback solution on a budget?

How about a shoestring budget (you define shoestring)?

IMO modded Squeezeboxes sound quite good for the money, especially those that bypass the op-amp. A nice budget DAC would be a MHDT Paradisea, or perhaps a Peter Daniels Audio Sector, both can be had for <$400 and sound phenomenal. Plus if it is a one source rig you can use the SB3 as volume control to, and get a more basic pre for less $.

As for a pre a few member on here use TVCs and like them. You can get phenomenal sound for ~$300-400 used, hard to beat for the money. If you care about stereophile ratings last I checked they are Class B rated, among a bunch of $1-$2k pres.

madmax

In my opinion you need excellent quality in both. I guess if I had to choose one I would put the money in the preamp. I've always noticed larger changes in the preamp section. It could go either way though.

joeparaski

I am thoroughly happy with my Emotiva MMC-1 pre/pro and MSB Link Dac III with the Full Nelson upgrade. And it fits within your budget with some money left over to get more SACD's from HK.

Joe

schwarcw

I'd invest in the preamp, then a quality CD player with a good on board DAC. On board DAC's have improved tremendously over the last 5 years. Get a newer MF, Marantz, tube CD player etc. Buy a quality player used and save a ton of cash, same for the preamp. There is a lot of discussion in the threads on this topic.

Good luck!

fatchowmein

Nice. Different strategies all around. I guess we're back to that magic word: synergy.

Thx for the feedbacks.

steveinaz

The Benchmark DAC is a preamp for any digital input..I use mine this way. My BluRay is run via Toslink, my CDP via Coax. Viola, done. I had the Musical Fidelity A3CR preamp--I liked the Benchmark better.

reeltrouble1

the pre-amp is most important, you only need a dac if your player's dac is lacking.

player>pre-amp>amp all run analog.

a great system would be the older NAD gear. well under a grand for all three pieces. no remote use your arm.

RT1

ben62670

I'll jump on this thread if I may. I have a Sony changer that I won't give up. I have two kids that are small. Keeping the CD's in the changer is so convenient, and safe. I have an Outlaw990 which receives great reviews, but I think the DAC may be lacking. The whole Pre may be lacking for decent two channel. I have been wanting an Adcom DAC for some time now, but I am not sure if I should build a tube buffer first, or think about a different Pre.
Thanks fatchowmein
Ben

AndyGwis

DACs are always a safe option. If you don't like it, usually easier to sell then a preamp, in my opinion. I ran my Sony SCD-C2000ES with it for a while and noticed an improvement. This way, you get great redbook, great SACD, headphone output, all on a very decent budget.

BTW, I have a Theta Pro Progeny DAC laying around if you want to give it a whirl.

organ

Both should be good quality. Having a weak DAC will handicap your pre and having a weak pre will handicap your amps.
I agree with Gaara on this one. I also find the passive autoformer based pre amps to be VERY good.