Separate DAC vs integrated

[admin_exported]

Hi guys, I've got a mate moving back to the UK and he's looking for a new system. I've advised against a cd player and suggested seperate amp and DAC. Now my question is, as he will have to buy both say 300 amp and 200 DAC is there an all in one amp solution out there for him? At say the 500 quid mark or less that will do the same? Or is he better off with seperates?

Thanks guys

Mat

 

[Overdose]

There's not much around at that price that combines, DAC and amp in a traditional hifi package, you could however take a look at AV receivers, which combine DAC, amp and a whole host of other options.

Two amps that spring to mind though are the XTZ Class A100 D3 and HK 990. Both are, I think above the budget, but would do the job nicely otherwise.

 

[John Duncan]

Title amended for clarity.

Apart from AV receivers as mentioned, two options spring to mind, depending on source. The Onkyo TX-8050 has four digital inputs, and is well-regarded around these parts, and my 651A has a USB input which you can plug your laptop into. Whether the latter would match how he wanted to use it is another matter, of course, since he might not want to be tethered.

 

[Anonymous]

The Onkyo is one he's seen and liked the look of, it is pretty feature heavy. I was a little concerned that sonically it would be found lacking compared with the 6004 and a DAC. It'd be playing lostless cd rips and other higher quality downloads. Or is the Onkyo's DAC a pretty good one?

Moving to AV amps, could the above mentioned av amps live with say the 6004 for sterio? I supose a trip down the listening rooms is in order

Thanks again all. You've given me something to think about.

 

[fr0g]

The Onkyo is one he's seen and liked the look of, it is pretty feature heavy. I was a little concerned that sonically it would be found lacking compared with the 6004 and a DAC. It'd be playing lostless cd rips and other higher quality downloads. Or is the Onkyo's DAC a pretty good one?

Moving to AV amps, could the above mentioned av amps live with say the 6004 for sterio? I supose a trip down the listening rooms is in order

Thanks again all. You've given me something to think about.

The quality of the DAC itself tends to be irrelevant. It's the implementation and analogue out that's important.

However, I find there is very little in it from my £300 Yamaha AV amp and an Arcam A80 which originally sold at £600 plus a Beresford (£200). When I first installed the Yamaha (RX V667) it replaced the A80 so I could go 5.1. I was originally going to use the A80 to via the pre-outs, but after I listened to both I decided it was pointless.

AV amps offer fantastic VFM compared to stereo only. But as you say, the best thing to do is go and try. Just don't let the salesman sway your decision...he'll make more money on the stereo amp! (As if he would do such a thing!)

 

[Anonymous]

I picked up a Leema Pulse 3 for £500 as they didn't sell. You could look around for a similar deal.

Harmon kardon do an integrated amp and dac.

 

[Deliriumbassist]

Teac also do a DAC/integrated amp in the form of the A-H01