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Integrated Amp Vs. Outboard DAC

Hi, I wanted to see what the prevailing opinion is out there. I am trying to put together a decent mid-fi system and am stuck on what to do in terms of amplifiers. In your opinion which is better an integrated amp with digital inputs or one without and an outboard DAC? I plan on using the system in my main living area and it needs to work with the tv as an input and a digital source. It needs to be easy enough for the kids and wife to use. At this point what are the pros and cons of going with one or the other?
brimel1974

Showing 2 responses by mapman

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mapman
22,844 posts
 
I picked up a demo bel canto c5i here on agony for under $1000.    Very nice clean holographic sound and  does it all including phono and all the hifi many would ever need.  
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mapman
22,844 posts
 
Like most things it depends.

What integrated compared to what external DAC and amp?

The unique advantage of separate DAC is you can change and upgrade DACs without having to change amps. That’s a useful thing especially if one considers DAC technology to still be improving overall rapidly, which seems to be the case.

The unique advantage of an integrated is well its integrated....details of integrating DAC with the rest have been worked out for you.   Also should be easier for wife and kids.

I have separate DAC in one system and integrated in another. Both sound top notch but different. Hard to say which is "better" sounding and exactly why.

YMMV.
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