DAC vs. Preamp


I have just purchased Parasound JC1 Monos and will be getting Triton Ones soon. I will be using an Arcam cd player and Macbook Pro. I think I'm done with vinyl. Too much work. Would a good DAC be sufficient in this configuration or is a preamp still the way to go. I don't want the DAC to be a weak link yet money is definitely a concern. This is a brand-new system so I'm wide open to suggestions. Help,please.


                                                                                                                             Thanks, Mike

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Mike,

Have you tried a Devialet D200?  After hearing one, you may be like others Devialet owners who are done with separates. It'll take care of your amp, pre-amp & DAC and will drive any speaker load. Prior to the Devialet, I've had separate high-end amps, pre-amps and DACs and the Devialet trumps anything I've owned,  Most people on this forum won't believe it but you owe it to yourself to give the Devialet a try. Before purchasing the Devialet I auditioned a $30K Burmester 911 MkIII amp and decided to go with the Devialet.  I'm now off the separates merry-go-round and enjoying music rather than always seeking the next piece to upgrade.

Instead of a Macbook Pro, I suggest an Aurender N100H streamer. I used to use a Mac and the Aurender blows away any computer-based music server in sound quality and ease of use. And Aurender's integration with the TIDAL music subscription service is amazing. In case you're not aware, TIDAL offers a redbook CD quality subscription option (no compression) and there's no sound quality difference I can tell comparing TIDAL to CDs. IMHO there's no longer a reason to purchase CDs, unless you have a sizable SACD collection. Once TIDAL offers hi-rez service, (expected in Q2 of 2016) the SACD argument lessens and purchasing $20 hi-rez album downloads from HDTracks isn't needed.
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