2. digital
  3. 1136688649

DAC with AirTunes?

Can I improve my sound by adding an external DAC to my Airport Express/AirTunes->Arcam AVR300 connection or should I just stick with a direct digital connection to the AVR300? I'm using a Monster AirPort Express Stereo cable(toslink) now and thought about adding a lower priced used(Scott Nixon, Benchmark or Ack!) DAC into the mix. I'd go through the AVR300's analog inputs instead of a direct digital connection. I have some leftover .5 meter Kimber Silver Streak cables that I'd be using for my analog connection so all I'll need is the DAC.

Thanks for any input.
asahitoro

Showing 1 response by cjtalbot

cjtalbot
8 posts
 
My 2 cents.

I use my laptop to stream to my AirPort Express unit and than use the optical output to run a digital signal into a Channel Islands ModWright moded DAC. Than I run the analog signal from the CI DAC to my Marantz 8500 reciever (which I only use as a pre/pro - all amplification is done with sep amps).

This setup sounds CONSIDERABLY better than running the digital directly into my Marantz 8500...which is no slouch in regard to the onboard DACS.
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