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  3. 1353272005

Seperate DAC or New AVR?

Hello,

Looking for advice on which would be better bang for the buck upgrade for improved music performance: 1) A separate DAC like the VDAC or maybe the W4S UDAC, or 2) a new AVR like the Marantz NR1403.

System currently is Axiom M22 Mains (Also part of a 5.1) currently powered by a Pioneer VSK 1014 receiver (model year 2005 has the mofset amplifiers and had a bit of buzz when purchased due to these amps) with music feed from a Squeezebox unit with full FLAC files.

Need to keep this under $500 and still retain full HT duty (so can't go with a stereo integrated).

Please let me know your thoughts.
juggernaut850

Showing 1 response by wilsynet

wilsynet's avatar
wilsynet
264 posts
 
Save your money. Getting a new DAC will only run into the limitations of the existing AVR, and getting a new AVR with a budget of $500 would be a marginal improvement over the existing one at the very best.

Having said that, if you can find a used Pioneer VSX-D912, you may be in business.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68889.0

I have listened to the 914, which is reputedly not as good as the 912, and even the 914 was markedly better than my Marantz HT receiver.
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