Looking for DAC/CD player solution

i'm in the process of getting a pre-pro, like i said a Bel Canto or a Musical Fidelity but have a $35 DVD/CD player from Walmart.

I need a better CD player, or will use a Blu ray with a DAC. Just hoping i could use the DAC for all of my sources and save the money from buying an upscale CD player.

Are you saying that the pre/pro will be enough? Won't the source be poor if i use a cheap Blu ray player?

Thanks for your help, Danmyers. Like i said, i am a complete newbie.

Anthem D2 is a surround processor—only plan on listening to 2 channel. The AVM 20 is about $1200 on Audiogon, the D2 is $4200—out of my budget.

I own almost no CD’s and almost no DVDs. I’m actually listening to Comcast’s music stations right now which have awful sound quality.

I plan to use Squeezebox or maybe Sonos (which is more expensive at $800), a device that has free internet radio stations, Pandora and will let you use Rhapsody. I read on its forums that a DAC will improve sound quality which is rather awful straight from the Internet—definitely not using the potential of my new Ushers.

Also plan to see a lot of movies using Roku box and would like to improve sound quality of Comcast stuff, from movies to TV and even music.

Can you recommend a DAC or pre/pro and amp combo or integrated amp for around 2K to 2.5K (total expenditures) (all used here on the ‘gon obviously)

Would like to use the potential of my new Ushers—with sound quality about as good as it would sound with a Musical Fidelity A5.

What about the Benchmark DAC1 Pre? Will this be as good in sound quality as the MF A5? I don’t really care about the HDMI from the computer or Blu ray, I’ll just use component and audio outs or digital outs. For the computer I would use USB or buy a USB to analog or digital converter. Or how about the MF A5 and a benchmark or bel canto DAC?

The $35 dvd/cdp will be returned when I get a Blu ray player, so I will have a better DVD, CD and blu ray player anyway. Looking at the Oppo which should be released in Feb/March. Will be watching DVD’s using Netflix, as well as Blu rays. And do plan to buy cd’s as I discover what I like.

Thanks.

Have also heard that if i use coaxial or optical cables that there is little to no degradation, as compared with speaker cable and interconnects. And that excellent optical cables are significantly cheaper, is this true?

Would like to save as much as possible, although i am willing to invest to a higher priced speaker cable and interconnect (again, willing to switch them around) to ensure that no major degradation occurs.

Thanks again.

Please bear in mind that my sticking point is budget. Need to acquire all my stuff used or “incredible value” new. Looking for the best audio quality for the dollar. With that in mind:

Are you simply pushing a pre/pro or Benchmark Dac Pre1 due to the simplicity of all the hookups?

I don't mind switching each time i wish to change the source. With the benchmark, there is no remote, so i'd have to get up anyway, and changing volume by hand would be annoying as well.

Another question, how would the sound differ with a MF A5 with a DAC as compared to DAC1 Pre? Would the MF A5 have an effect on the music as well?

Also, i've read a few reviews on DAC1 Pre, does the music sound good due to the DAC or the preamp? Would a great int amp WITH the DAC1 sound better?

Please keep in mind that i AM strongly considering the DAC Pre1, just trying to compare it to a MF A5 with DAC1 performance. The price would end up about the same.

The Benchmark is also so new that it's hard to find much info about except reviews, which people have said to take with a grain of salt. I'd also have to pay full retail price as there are almost no discounts and none available used.

Don't really need HDMI inputs as i've never really seen HDMI inputs on pre/pro's or amps except home theater receivers/surround processors. USB is also unnecessary with a Squeezebox.

As far as a CDP/DVD/Blu ray, again will be buying the new Oppo in Feb/March anyway (am waiting to see how it's reviewed) or just get a Panasonic for $200-$300. To stress this again, i will be buying it regardless, because i want a Blu ray player, the CD and DVD basically come "free". But again, willing to spend for a good stand alone CDP if that is what is necessary, but would prefer to drop that money into a good DAC, so that all my sources can improve, not just one.

Thanks again.