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Trying to get a general idea of SQ hierarchy for combo pre/DAC vs separate boxes

How does a combo preamp and DAC compare to separates? And do you spend more on the preamp or the DAC? I started out looking for comparisons of the PS Audio Stellar GDC because I liked the idea of its analogue volume control, but there are a lot of options. With separates I might upgrade my DAC first before I start messing with anything else. Here's a quick list with current prices on both sides of the GCD:

$ 900 - Schiit Saga ($300) & Bimby ($600)
$1500 - Schiit Freya+ ($900) & Bimby
$1550 - Schiit Saga & Gumby ($1250)
$1700 - PS Audio Stellar GCD
$2000 - Benchmark DAC3 L
$2150 - Schiit Freya+ & Gumby
$2200 - Mytek Brooklyn DAC+

Current system is Dynaudio Audience 82, Musical Fidelity A300 Integrated, Oppo BDP-105 for discs and DAC. Leaning toward a PrimaLuna power amp, either HP stereo or monoblocks . The list of speakers I want to listen only gets longer the more I read so I'm putting that off for a bit. Might try streaming and a dedicated server eventually. Most of my CDs are already ripped lossless on an SSD plugged into the Oppo, but the interface is heinous. Ripped files through the Oppo sound fine, but I really miss the AH! Njoe Tjoeb I had until the transport finally died. I think that may be what is making me want to go the tube amp route.
cat_doorman

Showing 3 responses by cat_doorman

cat_doorman OP
236 posts
 
I'm not good at upgrading. I don't do it very often. I'm trying to future proof for a big upgrade that realistically may never be completed. I mostly bought the Oppo to watch movies when I finally broke down and bought a TV a few years back. The speakers and integrated I have now were bought new 15+ years ago for about $4k total. It may seem like overkill to look at $2k+ stand alone DACs or DAC/pre combos, but I know to make the kind of system improvement even my tin ears can recognize will take some scratch, so I'm trying to budget accordingly.

I've never gotten into vinyl because I always found the noise floor too distracting to really appreciate the benefits of analog. But I've been thinking about it. I always liked the deliberation and ritual associated with a single disc player as opposed to multi disc or file playing. Vinyl has that in spades. From what I've read it seems that a separate phono stage is usually much better than what generally gets included in a preamp. So many things to take into consideration. I suppose it wouldn't be as much fun if there were definitive answers.
cat_doorman OP
236 posts
 
I’ve never had separate pre/power amps before. I remember auditioning my MF A300 integrated umpteen years ago. There was another customer listening to matched pre/power separates that were 3-5x as expensive. We took turns listening to each setup and each other’s test tracks. The separates did sound a little bit better, but were too far out of my budget at the time to even warrant consideration. I felt pretty good about how close it was and have been happy with it since though. At the time I lived in a small studio apartment and with that purchase I had more money in my system than a year’s rent. Priorities.

This time I definitely want separate pre/power amps. I’m just not sure if a pre/DAC falls in the same category. The hard part is comparisons when it’s not apples to apples. Do you compare a $2k pre/DAC to a $500 pre/$1500 DAC or is the split $1000/$1000 or $1500/$500? Is the DAC an afterthought the way some phono stages are or is the volume control sketchy? The reviews I’ve been reading don’t seem to answer those kind of questions.
cat_doorman OP
236 posts
 
Never tried the Tidal app on the Oppo. Eventually gave up on the less than 100% compatibility the Oppo dongle had with my spotty home wifi. Had better luck with FireTV (5GHz vs 2.4GHz) and there are more apps. I’m just now realizing I watch an obnoxious amount of TV, movies, and YouTube these days compared to music. I went without a TV for years, maybe I’m just catching up. 

i think I may have also forgotten that one of the reasons I bought the Oppo was for the DAC and streaming possibilities. So easy to get sidetracked. Hearing about the relay clicking on Schiit pre-amps and DACs makes me more hesitant to go that route.. I’m easily distracted so any clicking would eventually get on my nerves. With the volume control on the Oppo it may make more sense to jump right to a new power amp before fiddling with DACs. I haven’t used any other sources for years - once my system resolved to the point where tape and tuner were unlistenable - so additional analog inputs aren’t a priority just yet. Since I’ve compulsively started looking at reviews on phono stages, turntables, and cartridges even though I own no vinyl it’s only a matter of time. 
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