Would I Benefit From a DAC?

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited August 2012
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    If you're not a big am/fm guy, an Integrated amp would be within reach and get you alot closer...just a thought. How much can you spend?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • pkdowning
    pkdowning Posts: 35
    edited August 2012
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    I would definitely be interested in an integrated amp as I never listen to AM/FM.
    Is it possible to get into an integrated amp for less than $500 new or used??
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited August 2012
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    Used, I'm sure you could--new might be tougher. From what I'm seeing "new" you'd have a little less output (spec wise) but in reality I think you're real world output would be way better. Low cost receivers tend to fudge a bit on their output capabilities.

    Take a look here, just to get an idea-- http://www.audioadvisor.com/products.asp?dept=9

    Check out the NAD, Cambridge, Marantz offerings. Also check different websites for "demo" or "open box" gear. Personally, I'd rather have 45 "NAD" watts, than 90 "Receiver" watts, but that's a long discussion, for another time.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • pkdowning
    pkdowning Posts: 35
    edited August 2012
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    Doing a quick search on the forums, some of the recommendations were:
    Music Hall A15.2
    Outlaw RR2150
    Harmon Kardon 3390
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,722
    edited August 2012
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    Check out Cambridge, NAD and Music Hall. All three companies have integrateds below $500 that perform very well and would be a significant improvement over the AVR you have now for music playback. Personally, I'm a big fan of Music Hall at any pricepoint below $800 or so...
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited August 2012
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    This is in the Polk flea market:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?134714-FS-Very-Nice-Yamaha-A-1000-120-w-ch-Class-A-AB-integrated-amp

    Well within your budget.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • pkdowning
    pkdowning Posts: 35
    edited August 2012
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    There is actually a Music Hall 15.2 integrated amp on Audiogon for $388. I was really considering it, but noticed that it doesn't do Speaker A and B. I have a pair of outdoor speakers that are connected to my Onkyo receiver that I would like to obviously still be able to utilize for non critical listening. The NAD C 356BEE as well as the Cambridge 651A have speaker A and speaker B.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
    edited August 2012
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    Nothing wrong with a vintage piece either like a Sansui or Marantz. Alot of the vintage stuff has speaker A and B switching. You could also just get a seperate speaker switch box to control those outdoor speakers. Relatively cheap too.

    I use an old Sony receiver to control my outdoor speaks and kitchen area speaks, though wouldn't mind snagging a Sansui integrated to replace it.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Lost240
    Lost240 Posts: 176
    edited March 2013
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    A dac should make a large difference over the airport express.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
    edited March 2013
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    Wants to be on Broadway someday....naked. ^^^^^
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,352
    edited March 2013
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    tonyb wrote: »
    Wants to be on Broadway someday....naked. ^^^^^

    I'm happy I didn't post just prior to the deleted spammer.......:cheesygrin:
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Lost240
    Lost240 Posts: 176
    edited March 2013
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    Unfortunately I did....What is that all about??
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
    edited March 2013
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    My obnoxious comment was aimed at a spammer who has been deleted....leaving little ol' me looking like it was directed at you. It wasn't....but if ya like I can come up with something for ya. :smile:
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,352
    edited March 2013
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    And it wasn’t a real bad comment….hell, I danced on Broadway once. I wasn’t naked, it wasn’t in New York, but I was drunk.:biggrin:
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
    edited March 2013
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    SCompRacer wrote: »
    And it wasn’t a real bad comment….hell, I danced on Broadway once. I wasn’t naked, it wasn’t in New York, but I was drunk.:biggrin:

    In Boys Town ? Rich...I never knew.:biggrin:
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Devlon
    Devlon Posts: 355
    edited March 2013
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    tonyb wrote: »
    Not to the point that you would say it was worth the coin. Why only stream Mog anyway ? What are you using at the moment ?

    As far as online music streaming MOG is the only one that universally streams at 320kbps
    Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
    2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

    Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
    1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
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