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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
asahitoro OP
244 posts
 
Sorry, I want to clarify here that I'm concerned about possibly improving my two-channel stereo listening by adding an external DAC. The AVR300 has two digital inputs and I'll still be using one(and the AVR300 DACs) for 5.1 listening.
asahitoro OP
244 posts
 
OK, I'm thinking of scrapping my AirTunes for a Squeezebox. Has anyone used this device with good results? How are it's DACs? It seems to have all of the connections and features I need all in one package. Does it work well with Macs?
jayboard
301 posts
 
Asahitoro, there is lots of info on these topics in past threads. I'm not familiar with AVR300 (or any other HT processor), but if you buy an external DAC that is significantly better than the AVR300's DAC, sure, you definitely can improve your wireless music server performance. I doubt that switching from the AXpress to Squeezebox is going to get that kind of gain for you.
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