Preamp Choice... a hard call for me.

Why not keep the Mac and add an outboard DAC? What other features do you need that the Mac doesn't have?

Optical in n out... and the P6 is new. I know squat about DAC's so it would be easy to screw up...lol

I wonder if I could tell one from the other... I bought a pair of 10 T's and am upgrading everything it seems. I need to upgrade my source also... so I've been told. I have a Denon DVD 2900 that has served me well but many think this is the weak link. She has been a great player.

You will lose. Go for a C2600 - it has the built in DAC and countless features and will be a significant upgrade with the right tubes.

Oh my... that is way outta my league... lol

Yogiboy...

i am looking into that... i need education on DAC’s. I have a limited budget but I have patience...  I will have a clean SIMPLE two channel system again.

I just need a great amp and am close to that and a good source... I have cables and speakers so I’m getting closer. It’s odd that people try and talk me into replacing the Mac... 

I’m not big on Dac built into a preamp. Dac technology changes so quickly. A great preamp will last a lifetime. 

Knowing this is all based on your ears and your taste, I recently purchased an Audio Hungary APR 204 pre-amp (paired with a First Watt F7) and the sound is beautiful.  I am sure will sound even better as it breaks in.  I enjoy the tube pre-amp with a ss amp.  About $2000.  

Capnbeaver. That’s an optimistic name. It seems as if we should be asking you for advice. 

Awwww Schiit

Own several semi descent pre’s 

B&K pro 10 mc
onkyo p-308
sanders sound preamp
McCormac LD-2

all have and serve me well

Look at the McIntosh c47 pre, it has a decent internal dac and internal phono preamp for both mm and Mc carts. I like my C47 but use an external dac that supports MQA, a Roon endpoint and it just sounds better. But my external dac cost more than the C47.

The best preamp ever (for me) and it have to match with the poweramp.: Ear 868, Audio Note M5,-6, Esoteric C-03. A combination :preamp , tubes and power, transistor or vice versa works wonderfully.
As Dac,i use my Luxman sacd-D-06 (is great).
I have Audio Note M5 preamp,and GamuT D 200i poweramp. Sounds fantastic. Speakers: Ilumnia Magister. (“The best”)

mickeyb... that is brilliant humor!

I did historic pyrat reenactments for a few years and we all had to have actual period correct everything... including cool blackpowder weapons... that was my pyrat name... we all had one! I wear a beaver pelt hat.

I agree with what some of the others said on keeping the C-41 and adding a DAC.  My only gripe with Mac kit is the light-show (and size in some instances) but the C-41 isn't bad in that respect. 

Your DAC choice should be driven by your requirements: DSD, MQA, USB, multiple coax or optical etc.  Your stance on "golden-ears" and diminishing returns should also be factored in and finally your budget.  I put budget last because I firmly believe there are decent DACs available at many price points. I personally wouldn't spend more than $ 1K on a DAC (prob closer to $500 to be honest) but that is me.

I have been considering the Halo P6 as I want to move from an integrated (Peachtree Nova 150 to seperates). Both devices use the same base DAC so that's not an issue for me but the P6 offers more flexibility than any other preamp that I've come across in my research.  I have to factor in home theatre plus a subwoofer to supplement my LS50s (real estate issues) and the P6 handles all this easily. 

IMHO after spending $ 1-2K on any component more might get you different but not necessarily better.  Let YOUR ears guide YOU.

go backwards...MX-110, has a built in DaC...DIAL AND CONTROLS....HA

 i would be inclined to keep the pre you have and as others have said add a stand alone DAC with features you desire...

capt

’Denon DVD 2900 that has served me well ...’

I felt the same way about my highly modified but ancient Pioneer D 65, stable platter.The laser died. I contacted Pioneer, but  they don’t make parts anymore. I researched what I could afford and came across a Marantz HD CD 1. It blows away the Pioneer. I use it as a transport now using coax cable between it and my Audio Alchemy DAC/Pre.

I owned the Parasound P3 and P5. I hope the P 6 is a huge upgrade

@aberyclark 
 
One thing to take in mind, if still using a pre-amp, then the analog inputs need to be taken into question, as maybe they aren’t clean, so that even the best DAC in the world can’t sound better than the internal DAC was the analog section of the preamp is limiting the quality.

Consider the Sutherland Engineering N1.   https://sutherlandengineering.com/products/n1/
Amazing performance and elegant too!

A couple of DAC's you could consider. At the Budget end the Topping D-50 DAC at around $249. At the upper end the RME ADI-2 DAC. Also has balanced out and has an excellent headphone output. Supports both standard over ear and IEM head phones. Made by RMe a German Pro audio company. $1099

I have a weird but perhaps useful suggestion. Just  find out what can REALLY can outperform your preamp (W/O any DAC) regardless of the cost, just so you know what is possible. Then ask yourself what your speakers are capable of reproducing. Your amplifier choice will also be critical. Otherwise you may, as I found out- trying to get a source and a preamp (and last of all some good cables) to "come up to" the level of resolution of your speakers. That is the beauty (and unfortunately the expense) of separates. I went through too many upgrades (although I had some fun doing it) to get my speakers to sound their best. But my ears led the way- sometimes I heard good things happening and sometimes I really didn't. 

Funny that this started with a question about a preamp and everybody is now talking about DACs!

We doubt there is anything wrong with the Denon.  We used a 2900 for years and it performed very well, and will certainly be a stout transport if you decide to get a DAC in the future.

If you want, let us know where you are  located and maybe we are close enough to bring you a lightly used Rhumba preamp for an audition in your system.  We can sell it for $1900.  There is no DAC in it but we think you'll find that the improvement of the quality in the preamp will be so significant that you will be "done".  Retail price was $3000, this unit was sent to us for upgrades and the client unfortunately passed away. We have completed the upgrades and volunteered to sell it for his widow, the full amount will go to her.