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To DAC or not to DAC?

I’ve been very happy with my system for a few years now and hadn’t thought much about any additions. It’s not the best but respectable and enjoyable. (Mcintosh MC 207, MX122, MR85, MB100,OPPO 205, Dared MC-7P tube preamp for Marantz TT15s1 with B&W 803’s & 805’s) I have no intention of giving up any media source and have large collections of LP’s CD’s and DVD’s, but have recently been spending more time with streaming. I enjoy HT and 2 channel music listening. I recently stopped in to my local retailer, who tried to explain what hidden gems I was missing by not having a separate and dedicated DAC. I run my Oppo with HDMI to the MX122 and the MB100 with XLR’s. The retailer was directing me towards a Mytek or Moon DAC. I’m looking for other’s opinions on whether it might make a dramatic difference over my present system. Please let me know your thoughts.


gwbeers
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
An important part of the DAC is not just the filters but the quality and design of the output stage. This is the part that many less expensive DACs compromise on simply because well-executed power supplies and quality mosfets are expensive.
mzkmxcv
558 posts
 
You can do your research and find out that something like an SMSL SU-8 is already on the verge of being totally transparent (if looking at measurements, look at version 2 of AudioScienceReview’s review). Unless doing heavy DSP, there really is no reason to spend >$500 on a stereo DAC. The SU-8 balanced is already super close to the Benchmark DAC3.
gwbeers OP
62 posts
 

Thanks for all the quick and informative feedback. My local audio dealer is an elitist and generally condescending - not the best qualities for a retail environment, but I accept his personality and use his establishment as a well stocked, window shopping destination. So the prospect of a loaner or purchase at MSRP plus tax, aren’t very encouraging. Usually, after I experience the gear I’m interested in, I go online and hunt down the lowest price with no tax and hopefully no shipping. 

I chose to direct my digital outputs (MB100, OPPO 205) to the DAC in the MX122 because it was the newest/latest and I have good faith in Mcintosh gear. So, to refine my question - is a $3000 dedicated DAC going to make an obvious improvement over the internal Mcintosh DAC? 


mzkmxcv
558 posts
 
@gwbeers 
 
The ~$1800 Benchmark DAC3B is basically totally transparent; so no, a $3000 DAC is wasting money. And again, there are DACs almost as good as the DAC3B that’s much cheaper.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
david_ten
2,509 posts
 
One wonders, is the "condescension" earned or a reward???

My local audio dealer is an elitist and generally condescending - not the best qualities for a retail environment, but I accept his personality and use his establishment as a well stocked, window shopping destination. So the prospect of a loaner or purchase at MSRP plus tax, aren’t very encouraging.

Usually, after I experience the gear I’m interested in, I go online and hunt down the lowest price with no tax and hopefully no shipping. 

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