Amp or DAC ... or both?

[admin_exported]

I need some advice on which item to upgrade first: amp or source (DAC)? I bought the EB Acoustics EB1 the other day (yet to arrive); I have a Pro-Ject Debut III Turntable (with a built-in-amp) that I plan to upgrade in the next 2 years and a NAD 712 stereo receiver. Although I mostly listen to vinyl I intend to to store my CD collection on a hard drive and stream through Airport Express or similar devices (Arcam rWave, for example).

My question is: If I buy an amp for around 700-1000 GBP will the Debut III TT do it justice (for the time being)? Or should I start with buying a dac (and airport express) and upgrade the amp next year. The third option would obviously be spending all my current budget on an amp and DAC (Rotel 1520 and Arcam rDac, for example).

I have up to 1000 GBP to spend in December and maybe 500 GBP no later than March-April next year.

What would you given my circumstances?

Thanks in advance,

Tjörvi

 

[Anonymous]

While I am on the subject, has anyone tried the Arcam rWave?

T

 

[Cold Roses]

Has anyone on the forum heard the XTZ-A100D3 amp?:

http://www.audiosanctum.co.uk/Integrated-Amplifiers/XTZ-Class-A-100-D3-Integrated-Stereo-Amplifier-Black.html

It seems to be getting some great reviews in the Hi Fi press and may tick all of the OPs boxes at once (phono stage and built in dac). I've not heard it, but have been intrigued by it since reading some of the reviews. Seems like a real Hi Fi bargain.

 

[JamesOK]

tjorvi:
I need some advice on which item to upgrade first: amp or source (DAC)? I bought the EB Acoustics EB1 the other day (yet to arrive); I have a Pro-Ject Debut III Turntable (with a built-in-amp) that I plan to upgrade in the next 2 years and a NAD 712 stereo receiver. Although I mostly listen to vinyl I intend to to store my CD collection on a hard drive and stream through Airport Express or similar devices (Arcam rWave, for example).

My question is: If I buy an amp for around 700-1000 GBP will the Debut III TT do it justice (for the time being)? Or should I start with buying a dac (and airport express) and upgrade the amp next year. The third option would obviously be spending all my current budget on an amp and DAC (Rotel 1520 and Arcam rDac, for example).

I have up to 1000 GBP to spend in December and maybe 500 GBP no later than March-April next year.

What would you given my circumstances?

Thanks in advance,

Tj”rvi

Why not kill 2 birds with one stone and buy an amp with built in DAC? You can get a Cyrus 8xpd (with built in DAC) for around £1000 if you look on the internet. I have one, and have bored many people to death with how impressed I am with it.

 

[dave_k]

Or something from Peachtree Audio.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm going to demo Cyrus when I go to London. But I have nevertheless read that it sounds a bit bright with the Eb Acoustics EB1 ...

This is the first time I've heard of Peachtree Audio, I am definitively have to check that out as well.

So I guess the recommendation is find a combo for around 1000 GBP.

Thanks for your help,

T