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Which sub 200 usd DAC if using an integrated amp?

Hi! I would like to start by asking for your patience here as I am just a beginner in Hifi... but I am really willing to learn :)

I am thinking of ordering a DAC from AudioEngine named Audioengine D1. It is equipped with AKM4396, a sought after DAC chip.

However, I only have integrated amplifier. So it means the signal from my hard drive basically need to run through 2 pre amp (one from the DAC, one from the Inte Amp). Is it a bad thing and how will it affect sound quality?

Should it buy a HRT Music Streamer for 150 usd instead? It does not have volume control but it using PCM1793 D/A chip, supposedly inferior to AKM 4396.

Thank you very much for reading the post! I am really looking forward for your help!
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Showing 1 response by tonyangel

tonyangel
309 posts
 
I'll give another plug for the Emotiva XDA-1. Since I've had mine, I've only compared it to the internal DACs of a couple of different NAD Pre's, a V-DAC II and a DacMagic. I much preferred the sound of the music from the XDA-1. It may very well be the king of the inexpensive DACs at $250, shipped.

It also leaves alot of room to grow, with two coax, two optical and a usb input. I really think that you'd need to spend a lot more money to get better.
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