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Upgrade Path - Preamp or DAC?

I need some advice on what to upgrade next - preamp or DAC. I don’t currently have a DAC. This is for my second system, which may or may not end up being my primary system. I will be streaming Tidal via Heos on both systems.

My second system is:
Rotel RC-980BX
B&K ST2140
Paradigm Monitor 9

The weak link is the pre. The Heos has analog outputs so I could use it as a DAC and send straight to my pre. The Rotel pre has all analog inputs. So I could upgrade to a pre that has a better DAC than the Heos and optical/coax inputs. Or I could keep the pre for now and get a better DAC. I am lusting after the Cambridge Audio 851D on agon right now. The third option is to just get the Heos now and see how it goes before upgrading. I really want that 851D though, but have just spent a lot on recent upgrades to system #1.

Thanks.

Ken
treebeard1

Showing 2 responses by randy-11

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
buy a cheap DAC like a Dragonfly, and then only buy upgrades that can be returned; use blind listening tests to see if you can tell the difference - if not, back it goes

meanwhile assemble some program material to test - not just your favorites but whatever people claim shows a big difference between DACs (which range up to the $30,000 Nagra)

why the lust for the 851D?

(I am a big fan of Cambridge Audio and have one of their original Dacmagics, but you need to think about the components of gear lust to make the best choice.  This also has the salutary effects of 1. slowing down your rush to buy, and 2. satisfying that itchy feeling somewhat.)
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
I am going to get a new Oppo disc player and use the DAC in it for a while.
 

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