Friend
The comparison of DAC to Amplifier compared to DAC to Preamplifier to Amplifier will depend largely on the combinations of components. When you start spending big Money on DAC's you get into better output sections in many (not all) cases - which makes the need for a Preamplifier less important. However, just when you have spent Big Money on a DAC there will sure enough come along a DAC to Preamplifier to Amplifier combination that will outperform that combination.
Personally, I prefer having a Preamplifier in my System to accommodate Vinyl; in my System the Preamplifier lays out the Soundstage better.
As for your choice - Benchmark and Mytek are tough to beat!!! You can get either one and try inserting a few different Preamplifiers from your local Audio salon to get an idea of whether or not your system will benefit. |
I'm not good at upgrading. I don't do it very often. I'm trying to future proof for a big upgrade that realistically may never be completed. I mostly bought the Oppo to watch movies when I finally broke down and bought a TV a few years back. The speakers and integrated I have now were bought new 15+ years ago for about $4k total. It may seem like overkill to look at $2k+ stand alone DACs or DAC/pre combos, but I know to make the kind of system improvement even my tin ears can recognize will take some scratch, so I'm trying to budget accordingly.
I've never gotten into vinyl because I always found the noise floor too distracting to really appreciate the benefits of analog. But I've been thinking about it. I always liked the deliberation and ritual associated with a single disc player as opposed to multi disc or file playing. Vinyl has that in spades. From what I've read it seems that a separate phono stage is usually much better than what generally gets included in a preamp. So many things to take into consideration. I suppose it wouldn't be as much fun if there were definitive answers. |
For an all-digital system, a DAC-preamp or DAC that is functional as a preamp offers a lot of advantages. (I've owned several in that category.) That combination avoids the duplication of costly items like chassis, front panels, and power supplies; and you can avoid a set of interconnects. If you are doing digital only, all you need is a DAC with a good volume control.
As others have said, the Mytek and Benchmark entries have gotten great reviews. However, neither is said to have a particularly tubey sound, so you may\find other DACs or combinations suit your tastes better.
I am not into tubes myself, having lived in hot climates for too long, and being averse to the continuing costs of retubing. I have heard people say that a tubed source followed by a SS amp can give a lot of tube sound at lower cost (and heat) than a tubed power amp.
Have fun with it!
|
Friend
You can keep the Oppo for movies; but the Digital Front End and Amplification should be upgraded. If you want to stay with Integrated Amplification McIntosh has some impressive options starting at $3500 with the MC252. As for digital, Benchmark or Mytek will get you where you want to go; and of the two - Benchmark also has a Power Amplifier now that should match well with their DAC. You have a lot of decisions to make. You can Audition the McIntosh at Best Buy; keep us posted on what you decide to do.
|
I’ve never had separate pre/power amps before. I remember auditioning my MF A300 integrated umpteen years ago. There was another customer listening to matched pre/power separates that were 3-5x as expensive. We took turns listening to each setup and each other’s test tracks. The separates did sound a little bit better, but were too far out of my budget at the time to even warrant consideration. I felt pretty good about how close it was and have been happy with it since though. At the time I lived in a small studio apartment and with that purchase I had more money in my system than a year’s rent. Priorities.
This time I definitely want separate pre/power amps. I’m just not sure if a pre/DAC falls in the same category. The hard part is comparisons when it’s not apples to apples. Do you compare a $2k pre/DAC to a $500 pre/$1500 DAC or is the split $1000/$1000 or $1500/$500? Is the DAC an afterthought the way some phono stages are or is the volume control sketchy? The reviews I’ve been reading don’t seem to answer those kind of questions. |
Separate pre/power are especially good if you want to put the equipment rack near you and the amp(s) by the speakers. I think it’s a great approach for anyone with the space and cash. I like to use balanced cables for that.
In contrast, I think separating the DAC from the preamp usually is not a great deal for the consumer.
YMMV
There is really no one answer, as it depends -- as always -- on your ears, priorities, and wallet. Volume controls in modern DACs are very good indeed, and maybe better (at least at sane pricing levels) than purely analog ones. Also, I don’t think that, given today’s digital-based world, the DAC will be an afterthought; and absolutely not in a Benchmark or Mytek product. Probably, you need to find a dealer who will let you try some of the items at home and see how you like them.
And to your list of DACs, you could add the Audiolab M-DAC+. I have not heard it, but it is characterized as "smooth", and if might be worth a trial.
People say that a system sounds better when you add in a USA$10k+ preamp; but in my price range (a little, but not a lot, higher than yours), my systems have sounded great running a DAC (with volume control) straight into a power amp.
HTH
|
Friend HTH answered correctly; there is no one answer due to the various combinations that can yield various results at different price points. More Money spent does not always equate to superior performance over more economical gear. As should be with any hobby - Learning is should be part of the experience; therefore, take advantage of savvy people like Arthur Salvatore ( http://www.high-endaudio.com/rec.html), Michael Fremer on Youtube, and Factory Tours such as Audio Research, Audio Note, and Radio just to name a few also on Youtube. An Audio Show coming anywhere near your area would also be a treat to visit and get samples of many combinations. |
Just let me note from your list the new
Schiit Freya+ has a warm and detailed, surprisingly dynamic and low noise sound signature in tube mode, it gives you lot for it's price what most of the DACs cannot give.
My only concerns are the followings about use of Freya+ (or use of Saga what I never had);
- Volume control (and all the relays) are very noisy, volume control sounds like a driller during volume up/down, other manufacturers do relay based volume controls significantly better. Difficult to recommend Freya+ as a volume control.
- There is mute function but not "standby" mode. Mute lets the tube heaters on so unit become very hot, power switch at the back side a bit difficult to reach. I wish to see "standby" mode on a future Freya++ and on the remote controller.
|
I have to chime in here, as I’ve owned 2 Schiit pre’s with the relay volume feature. I’m not sure what a “driller” is or what one sounds like, though I own a few drills. I can emphatically say that Schiit’s volume design is not a loud intrusive noise when being adjusted.
There is a clicking noise and also the music is somewhat affected while you turn the knob, but that’s it. If one is constantly adjusting the volume during songs it may get tiresome, but there is more of a likelihood that a nearby partner will ask you to pick a volume level. Not that it’s ever happened between me and my wife.
The volume, and transparent sound of the Schiit pre’s, are what has me sold on them and planning yet another preamp purchase from Schiit. The performance of their components for price has them competing with the over $2000 range, at least with the Freya +.
|
Oppo 105 has Tidal App streamer build in ( I believe it is the last version of Oppo has this feature). You use mobile device to browse and contro the Oppo. You will use Opps's XLR balanced lineout. You will need a good a balanced Pre-amp amp combo (i use a Krell 300i). The result is super.
|
Never tried the Tidal app on the Oppo. Eventually gave up on the less than 100% compatibility the Oppo dongle had with my spotty home wifi. Had better luck with FireTV (5GHz vs 2.4GHz) and there are more apps. I’m just now realizing I watch an obnoxious amount of TV, movies, and YouTube these days compared to music. I went without a TV for years, maybe I’m just catching up.
i think I may have also forgotten that one of the reasons I bought the Oppo was for the DAC and streaming possibilities. So easy to get sidetracked. Hearing about the relay clicking on Schiit pre-amps and DACs makes me more hesitant to go that route.. I’m easily distracted so any clicking would eventually get on my nerves. With the volume control on the Oppo it may make more sense to jump right to a new power amp before fiddling with DACs. I haven’t used any other sources for years - once my system resolved to the point where tape and tuner were unlistenable - so additional analog inputs aren’t a priority just yet. Since I’ve compulsively started looking at reviews on phono stages, turntables, and cartridges even though I own no vinyl it’s only a matter of time. |
