To DAC or not to DAC


I have somewhat of a dilemma. I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas and had forgotten about it. I just ran across it and have to spend some money. I kind of got all up into doing the digital thing, starting off with a Sonos unit, but I think that I want to run down the road of some quality CD music.

I'm currently running an XDA-1 DAC. Right or wrong, I kind of view it as being a budget solution, but it's doing fine as the converter for my Sonos and Apple TV. My dilemma is whether I should get something along the lines of a decent CD player in the form of a Cambridge Audio 550C and either run that through my XDA-1 or get a better DAC. The second choice would be to get something like the 650C which has dual DACs and just run that straight through the analog outs.

I guess what I'm asking is, will I get better results with the 550C and an external dac or with getting the 650C using its internal DACs.

My next question is whether something like a DacMagic would be an upgrade from the XDA-1, if I go the route of the 550C and external dac. For that matter, would the internal dac of the 550C be better than either the XDA-1 or the DacMagic?

I'm just lost.

Thanks.
tonyangel
Tonyangel, when Jt_to says, "Up-selling at its finest," he's implying that the guy at the shop's suggestion that you get a better preamp is an attempt to make money from you by upgrading to to one of his preamps. But, the Audio Research LS-3 the guy at the shop is suggesting, is an older preamp that can only be purchased used. Unless the shop has one, I would say the guy at the shop is simply trying to be helpful and not "up-sell" you.
I have an Audio Research LS-3 pre that I bougth about 17 years ago; it still works like new and I use it in my second system upstairs.

It is an execeptional unit and is one of Audio Research's best SS preamps ever offered. You cannot go wrong with it; it's a fine piece.
Foster, that's what I thought he meant, but didn't want to jump to conclusions.

I really believe that the guy was trying to help me. In fact, he actually had ( I believe) a Cal Labs DAC that he was willing to let me have for something around $350, that was when the subject of the preamp came up and he recommended the LS3. Unfortunately, he didn't have one.

Really, as far as customers go, I'm just small potatoes and it's pretty nice of him to take the time that he does with me. Honestly, he hasn't led me wrong yet. I should have gone and talked to him before I started my swap fest.