DAC w/Airport Express

Chuck...

Yes, that would be the standard route: AE -- DAC -- Preamp. Some DAC's have a built in volume control, which would then negate the need for a preamp. (Benchmark DAC, among others).

This may seem like a stupid question so please forgive my ignorance. I just hooked up an airport express and think it sounds pretty good given what it is but obviously would like to improve it a bit.

So my questions is are you coming out of the airport into the DAC and then into your pre-amp. I am currently comming out of the airport with a monster cable directly into my pre (aux2 input).

Chuck

It is much better than "okay for background music"

Depends on how your DAC handles jitter and how sensitive you are to it. I used one with great results with an Altmann DAC with Jitter reduction circuit. I am reconfiguring my system and hope to try a reclocker soon.

It is not great, but okay for background music with a good toslink glass cable. With a reclocker it can be as good as a good transport.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio