DAC OR AMP? Your thoughts POWER vs CLARITY?


Ok gents, here is my dilemma. I have:

NAD 673
MIT AVT1 Cables
Cambridge Audio DV79 DVD/CD
PMC TB2 and center speakers

Which direction would make a larger difference. I was thinking about a Benchmark DAC1, but some say power is more important. In that case I would get a Bryston 3B. This would be for 2 channel music mainly. Thanks!!!!!!
rkerv
I can't find any current or past NAD product called the "673" on the NAD website.

What do you find lacking in your system? Do you feel like it's underpowered?

Also, what is your budget for an upgrade?
What are you trying to achieve? What qualities do you feel your system is lacking? Why Bryston and not Classe?
Yeah it depends on what your looking to spend.. Many times the Dac will be a bigger step if your dropping a grand, and your DVD player is not the greatest source.. Try a DAC with a return policy, its easier to ship and deal with, see what happens, then if its not all its cracked up to be and you feel the cambridge player is good in comparison, then go for an amp as the NAD could definatly be improved too..

By the way I have tested Dac's vs. the Player by hooking the DAC up to your Auxilary input on the preamp or receiver/intergrated, and then leave the CD player on the CD input, you can then Switch back and Forth on the Fly with the remote and hear the immediate difference in sound.. This will lead you in the direction you seek, and no regrets if one strikes you better..

The Dac would probably need at least a week of burn in 24-7 as a warning before it really opens up, so I would not take an immediate comparison out of the box... and of course this test would be best using 2 sets of equal interconnects, one set for the player, and one set for the DAC. And of course you will need a digital cable for transport to dac connection.

No other good way to know what your better option is without trying it in your system honestly. Like I said end result is you feel the DAC made large direct A-B comparison improvements or not.. Then ship it back for a little loss in shipping and go after an amp.