DAC is gettiing better and cheaper. Invest in a good analog pre-amp 1st.
Upgrade Path - Preamp or DAC?
I need some advice on what to upgrade next - preamp or DAC. I don’t currently have a DAC. This is for my second system, which may or may not end up being my primary system. I will be streaming Tidal via Heos on both systems.
My second system is:
Rotel RC-980BX
B&K ST2140
Paradigm Monitor 9
The weak link is the pre. The Heos has analog outputs so I could use it as a DAC and send straight to my pre. The Rotel pre has all analog inputs. So I could upgrade to a pre that has a better DAC than the Heos and optical/coax inputs. Or I could keep the pre for now and get a better DAC. I am lusting after the Cambridge Audio 851D on agon right now. The third option is to just get the Heos now and see how it goes before upgrading. I really want that 851D though, but have just spent a lot on recent upgrades to system #1.
Thanks.
Ken
My second system is:
Rotel RC-980BX
B&K ST2140
Paradigm Monitor 9
The weak link is the pre. The Heos has analog outputs so I could use it as a DAC and send straight to my pre. The Rotel pre has all analog inputs. So I could upgrade to a pre that has a better DAC than the Heos and optical/coax inputs. Or I could keep the pre for now and get a better DAC. I am lusting after the Cambridge Audio 851D on agon right now. The third option is to just get the Heos now and see how it goes before upgrading. I really want that 851D though, but have just spent a lot on recent upgrades to system #1.
Thanks.
Ken