I am doing option A myself & have been for over a year. I have no complaints. I only listen to digital sources anyway so it does not bother me at all. The Benchmark is a very capable pre-amp if you are only concerned with digital sources.
Opinion on what power route I should go...$3000
I am in a little bit of a dilemma, I have two options both costing about the same. Music is my primary concern, I could...
a) Purchase a Benchmark DAC-1 and a high quality 2-channel amplifier, use the DAC-1 as a pre-amp and DAC connected via balanced interconnects. No remote and lack of inputs are my only concern.
or
b) Purchase a high end integrated w/remote however the CDP will be of lower quality.
Not sure which would yield better results.
a) Purchase a Benchmark DAC-1 and a high quality 2-channel amplifier, use the DAC-1 as a pre-amp and DAC connected via balanced interconnects. No remote and lack of inputs are my only concern.
or
b) Purchase a high end integrated w/remote however the CDP will be of lower quality.
Not sure which would yield better results.