Will I notice the difference?

[admin_exported]

I have a Yamaha 863SE paired with KEF 3005 speakers. My music source is a Mac Mini, loaded with lossless files. My Mac is connected to the amp via HDMI. The sound is pretty good. I have been reading a lot about DAC's and wonder whether the addition of say an Arcam rDac would be any benefit in this system (since it is not a stereo 'music' system but a home cinema system).

Can anyone advise?? Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Can you borrow one and try it at home, always best to hear new equipment in your own system.
Keith.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah - I could try my friendly retailer sevenoaks.

Do you use a DAC?

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Yeah - I could try my friendly retailer sevenoaks.

Do you use a DAC?

I really wouldn't bother. If you had a stereo amp and stereo speakers definitely but with an AV receiver and sat speakers, it's not worth it.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Overdose]

There's a fair to middling chance that you won't notice a difference. I'd personally try to demo first. That's a potential whole lot of money for nothing.

 

[CnoEvil]

What, if any, is your upgrade path.....and over what time period. It may have a bearing on the advise you get.

As things stand, I agree with the above comments.

 

[pwiles1968]

Agree you would probably not hear the benefit over the DAC in the Yammy. AV sound can be pretty good, but I found out after a recent upgrade a decent stereo system will give so much more.

 

[Anonymous]

CnoEvil - I won't be upgrading for a while. One day, when I have my mansion, I will have a seperate high end stereo system and some sort of massive home cinema system. Until then, I'll have to make do with my modest Yammy / Kef set up.