Which DAC - Streamer or Preamp?

@mattsca I have my brothers 74 Heresy I’s and it was time for an update. Changed crossover and all drivers with components from Crites speakers in Arkansas. They specialize in everything Klipsch. Very nice upgrade.

The front end imo is the front end since all music starts there good or bad 

buy a much better dac, your Eversolo use as just a streamer ,this makes perfect sense ,in sonics ,thedac in the Eversolo not That good for sround $2k or under

you can get a very good dac.

@soix, @audphile1, and @glennewdick , I think the DA1 vs DA2 module issue is moot for me. I have the C-47, in which the digital board is not upgradeable, as it is in the C-49 and C-55. That’s ok for me. I think that lack of upgradeability accounted for the deal I got. I assumed DAC improvements would need to come "outboard" of my preamp. You guys now have me focused on a dedicated higher-end DAC as a near term upgrade to my system.

@russ69 no offense taken regarding the Heresys. I got them originally to go with a vintage setup - includes a Marantz Model 19 (which I LOVE) and a Denon DR-M30HX cassette deck. I also have pairs of B&W602 and Elac Debut 6.2 B, which I can try out as well.

@glennewdick  Agreed the DA2 is a big improvement over the DA1 module, but just because it’s better doesn’t mean its sound characteristics match the sonic preferences of the OP, which brings me back to finding an external DAC that does exhibit the sound characteristics the OP is looking for rather than being committed to whatever the sound is on the DA2 that may or may not be optimal for the OP.  Again, DACs are very personal and the odds the DA2 just magically happens to be an optimal match for the OP versus other options is slim to none, and I don’t know but I’d guess the DA2 upgrade is not all that cheap either. 

Not to bag on your older Heresy but I did have Heresy IIIs. Not sure that's a system to tell minor differences. So yes, try all the ways you can hook it up and see what you think. 

the DAC1 card is just ok but the DAC2 baord is very good in comparison. probably need a $2500+ outboard DAC to beat it. You may want to price the DAC2 board upgrade for your mac, it also adds some very nice conectivity for a TV through the e-arc input also has usb input, very flexaable. 

99.9999% you have DA1 DAC module in that McIntosh unless someone upgraded it. That DAC is nothing special at all. It’s easily bested by a good outboard DAC such as Benchmark DAC3 that you can buy used for under $1200. Compare the Eversolo DAC to DA1 and determine for yourself. 

@soix that’s a great point, and one that didn’t occur to me right away, coming from a more common audio consumer mindset, thanks.

I thought about jumping to the A8 right away, but its an upwardly slippery slope

If it was me I wouldn’t do that — I’d get a separate DAC to use with the A6. DACs are a personal choice and sound different, and what are the odds that the DAC in the A8 is best for your particular sonic preferences? I’d say very low. There are tons of excellent DACs out there today so worth doing some research to find the one that best matches your sonic preferences and do that. I don’t believe there’s much difference in streaming between the A8 and A6, and the A6 should be fine as a streamer for now. Or maybe you’ll get lucky and be very happy with what you already have.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.

@ghdprentice thank you for the encouragement about the room.  Yes, my intention is to get this basic stereo setup in place and then concentrate on optimizing the room as best I can with placement and acoustic treatments.  After that, I can add to my system and improve the weak points over time.

@soix thanks for the tip on the C-47 DAC card change.  I'll do a little research to figure out what I have.  I thought about jumping to the A8 right away, but its an upwardly slippery slope, and I leave room for an even bigger streamer jump in the near future.

I believe there are two versions of the Mac DAC cards, call them DAC 1 and DAC 2  — forget what they’re actually called.  The first version is not very highly regarded and the DAC2 was apparently a big improvement.  You might want to check which DAC version is in your C-47 just to know.  The DAC in the A6 is probably nothing all that special, which is why they significantly upgraded it in the A8.  This is just some background info fyi in case it might be interesting/helpful in some way, and obviously your ears always need to be the final arbiter.  Congrats (or condolences) on entering the morass that is high-end audio.  

What *should" sound better, might not to you.

One might not be able to notice any difference.

Conjecture  is a meaningless exercise.

Wow, that is a hard one. I'm going to guess the DAC in the Mac will be a bit warmer... maybe... 2015 design vs a new budget DAC... really hard call. 

Don't be too intimidated by your system being in your basement. Positioning and treatments can make a huge improvements. Depending on how many reflective surfaces there are. Try couch cushions, pillows and heavy blankets to experiment with dampening behind the system, sidewall and floor. Great way to experiment, then get "official" treatments later.