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Why buy a DAC when you have a high end pre/pro?

I am reading all this stuff about buying high-end DACs to bridge the gap from PC to system. Why aren't more of you running a signal adapter from the PC to your Pre/Pro or Receiver? Many Pre/Pros and Receivers have excellent DACs. We spend big bucks on these pre/pros and then ignore the DAC capabilities. Your thoughts?
puerto

Showing 2 responses by kjweisner

kjweisner's avatar
kjweisner
293 posts
 
Sorry I've been late to respond back, Puerto. I was agreeing with your original point. What I stated about ADC applies when the chain is Digital Source > DAC > Processor > ADC > processing > DAC. In other words, if you have a digital out from the source and you throw a DAC in the chain before the processor, it may well be that the processer immediately (and without option) does an ADC. This would be the case with Meridian for example.

I guess I meant to say that adding a DAC in that specific instance is actually a negative since it causes two more conversion steps to occur.

But for many (those without high quality digital domain processors) the outboard DAC is better than a cheap one that my be "onboard." But only if they have an analog pass through (that avoids the ADC - DAC step in the processor). Sorry I was not more lucid!
kjweisner's avatar
kjweisner
293 posts
 
I agree that in some cases this is possible and even preferable, especially for processors that use ADC for their analog inputs. I have a Meridian system that gets direct digital stream from the PC and keeps everything digital right out to the the speakers. If I were to use a DAC, the Meridian would just ADC the signal, only to DAC it again for final output to the amp/speakers.

On the other hand (and in the other room) I have a BAT tube pre-amp with no DAC capability and use an outboard processor there. So it may be a necessity for many a'goners since there's a preponderance of purist, two-channel non-digital gear already in place.
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