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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
Ag insider logo xs@2x
david_ten
2,509 posts
 
The Benchmark is perfect since it is tax free, ships free, and is returnable...and in the Holiday Spirit you are not harming a dealer in the process. : )
mzkmxcv
558 posts
 
@gwbeers 
 
🤘 
 
And yes, I wouldn’t buy from anyplace that didn’t have a good return policy. Now, return shipping is something I’d pay if I knew it was amazing for the price (or else it would get factored in to a degree anyway), but I’ve seen places charge large re-stocking fees, even brick and mortar ones.
acresverde
170 posts
 
Just got my Jan. 2019 "Consumer Reports" in yesterday. I will refrain from directly quoting from the piece as I don't know if that would be considered kosher or not. The SVP representing a firm being interviewed for the article (about consumer dissatisfaction over the typical car buying experience)  made the following observations "almost" verbatim.

Car buyers don't want to deal with salespeople. (next sentence) They just want to be assured that they're getting a fair deal and that if they have any questions about the vehicle, the salesperson will be knowledgeable enough to address them.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Car dealer salesmen... I have to say it is sad about how ill informed they are about the cars they are selling. I would think they might spend time keeping track of inventory? nooo, what features on models? nooooo, what current rebates? noooooo My last purchase I asked at my favorite (of 10 Ford metro area dealers) Focus ST.. after They seemed to be confused I wanted to actually buy a car.. no responsive reply ...I left. They had no interest in even selling me a car. Went to second most favorite dealer, guy greeting, supposed to be a salesman, Jeesh dumb as a stump. I left called asked for General Manager, and raised H. He connected me to a ’rising star’ (salesman family member of owners!) and with zero hassle I ordered the car I wanted, $3000 off list Zero interest financing., plus I got a good price on my trade in. (It was funny.. they wanted to give me less for my tradein since it was a stick shift. I said then give me another couple thou off the new car since it too is a stick. They caved.
acresverde
170 posts
 
I was hoping that my above post would help people see the hypocrisy of using the dealer's resources and then shuffling off to buy online. I know, it's not a new concept.
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