Could I make use of a DAC with my setup?


I stream music (Spotify Premium) from my PC via 3.5mm cable into a Parasound P5 preamp, which is hooked to a Parasound A23 amp, and from there to Klipsch Fortes that I purchased new in 1986, I think. 

I had the impression that if I use a DAC before the P5 preamp, the DAC's output would be "reprocessed" by the DAC in the preamp, and, therefore, useless.

Is my impression correct?  Thanks!
forsooth
@tketcham  - Thank you for the message.  When I rec'd. it this AM, I was intrigued because I have been thinking about how to listen music in two rooms.  My "listening room" is the living room (for me & my dog), but I spend a lot of time in the kitchen-dining room area.  I have fans, refrig., and what-not going on in the latter space, so it is difficult to try to listen to what is playing in the listening room.

Of course, I know nothing about Bluesound or similar products.  So after reading your message, I called MD and talked with a knowledgeable person. 

My essential question was, "OK.  I subscribe to Spotify Premium.  Say I have a B. Node 2 connected as part of my main rig, internet-connected via ethernet.  In another room, I want to listen through non-powered, non-bluetooth bookshelf speakers.  I have a small integrated amp for powering the bookshelf speakers.  What else do I need to bring the Bluesound stream into this arrangement so that I can listen in the 2nd room?"

His response was that I would need another B. Node 2 unit.  Thus, this would be $450 for the first unit, and then $450 for the additional unit to retrieve and make use of the sound in a 2nd room.

Now, keep in mind that I'm a know-nothing on this, so I could have gotten something wrong along the line.  Does that sound about right for you?

Thanks again for your message.  I enjoyed the research.

Well, I ended up buying two Node 2 units, one for the small stereo in the living room and one for the basement stereo room. If you're not wanting to spend the extra money you could look into one of the less expensive Pi players. I believe you can add an inexpensive DAC plug-in so you'd have RCA line output for your integrated in the kitchen.

But I'm not that familiar with the Pi players so can't offer much advice. There are forums that have discussed the players at length, including the Digital - PC Audio forum at AudioAsylum.com.

Good luck in your quest!

Tom

"Good luck in your quest!"

Thanks, you've answered the question.  I was thinking that once the B. Node 2 was purchased, the locatable second device would only have to capture the signal (similar to a bluetooth dongle) and send it to an amp.  Thus, the 2nd device would be significantly less expensive.  But, such is life!  I like very much the idea that with Bluesound, you're dealing with lossless music, unlike bluetooth.  (I think that is a fact, but I'd better check.)