pre/pro

[NeilGabriel]

Do any 2 channel pre's come with built in DAC to process digital input? And would that then be a pre/pro? Thanks.

[phuz]

Good question. The only ones I've seen with DACs are home theater or multi-channel processors. I've never seen a 2 channel pre with a built in DAC.

[AndyGwis]

I don't think I've seen this on stereo pre's either. Maybe a few select stereo receivers, but no straight pre's I can think of.

If you have a good source, it should do the DAC job well enough. Or, get a decent, cheap player to use as a transport and add and external DACs. Adds flexibility, cool factor of owning a separate DAC, and sounds great. That's the route I went with. Player has all the features I want (SACD, headphone, etc.), Theta DAC makes redbook sound great, and all for less than the cost of a decent used stand alone player.

[WilliamM2]

It only takes two inputs I believe, but this is a DAC linestage combo:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue25/monarchy_m24.htm

[sucks2beme]

You'll notice the Monarchy DAC/pre review in this month's affordable audio!
Looks like a fine unit.

[heiney9]

There are other older Monarchy's that are line level pre's with DAC. The big limitation you'll find is limited inputs for a lot of gear.

[NeilGabriel]

The reason I asked is that last night I hooked up my Rotel CDP to a HTR using the optial digital out to the optial input (which plays on DVD input). The sound was much superior to just running the rca connects to the HTR's cd input. That led me to believe that the HTR's (Yamaha) DAc was better than the cd player. Yes/No? so, I wondered if 2 channels pres had DACs with digital inputs for less than $15,000. I read portions of the article William2 linked...a tad over my head.

[tonyb]

May very well be Neil,on the Dac's.Don't recall too many 2-channel pre's with dac's in 'em.The 5-channel on up ones do for obvious reasons.Are you against getting a seperate dac? Or just trying to keep cost down?What are you looking to stay under dollar wise? You can get a 2-channel pre and a dac for less than a AVR.

[phuz]

What model Rotel CD player? What kind of interconnects were you using with it?

*curious*