Would I Benefit From a DAC?

[pkdowning]

Absolutely, if you know you only want stereo, then you'd very likely be able to get much more out of a stereo receiver for the same money. If stereo is all you want then there are LOTS of receivers and integrated amps that will work very well and sound WAY better for music than the 606, by a mile.

Anything you could recomend to get me started? I am really interested in a "best bang for the buck" setup. I am not in a position currently to be spending thousands and thousands of $ :)

[steveinaz]

If you're not a big am/fm guy, an Integrated amp would be within reach and get you alot closer...just a thought. How much can you spend?

[pkdowning]

I would definitely be interested in an integrated amp as I never listen to AM/FM.
Is it possible to get into an integrated amp for less than $500 new or used??

[steveinaz]

Used, I'm sure you could--new might be tougher. From what I'm seeing "new" you'd have a little less output (spec wise) but in reality I think you're real world output would be way better. Low cost receivers tend to fudge a bit on their output capabilities.

Take a look here, just to get an idea-- http://www.audioadvisor.com/products.asp?dept=9

Check out the NAD, Cambridge, Marantz offerings. Also check different websites for "demo" or "open box" gear. Personally, I'd rather have 45 "NAD" watts, than 90 "Receiver" watts, but that's a long discussion, for another time.

[pkdowning]

Doing a quick search on the forums, some of the recommendations were:
Music Hall A15.2
Outlaw RR2150
Harmon Kardon 3390

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Check out Cambridge, NAD and Music Hall. All three companies have integrateds below $500 that perform very well and would be a significant improvement over the AVR you have now for music playback. Personally, I'm a big fan of Music Hall at any pricepoint below $800 or so...

[steveinaz]

This is in the Polk flea market:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...integrated-amp

Well within your budget.

[pkdowning]

There is actually a Music Hall 15.2 integrated amp on Audiogon for $388. I was really considering it, but noticed that it doesn't do Speaker A and B. I have a pair of outdoor speakers that are connected to my Onkyo receiver that I would like to obviously still be able to utilize for non critical listening. The NAD C 356BEE as well as the Cambridge 651A have speaker A and speaker B.

[tonyb]

Nothing wrong with a vintage piece either like a Sansui or Marantz. Alot of the vintage stuff has speaker A and B switching. You could also just get a seperate speaker switch box to control those outdoor speakers. Relatively cheap too.

I use an old Sony receiver to control my outdoor speaks and kitchen area speaks, though wouldn't mind snagging a Sansui integrated to replace it.

[Lost240]

A dac should make a large difference over the airport express.

[tonyb]

Wants to be on Broadway someday....naked. ^^^^^

[SCompRacer]

Wants to be on Broadway someday....naked. ^^^^^

I'm happy I didn't post just prior to the deleted spammer.......

[Lost240]

Unfortunately I did....What is that all about??

[tonyb]

My obnoxious comment was aimed at a spammer who has been deleted....leaving little ol' me looking like it was directed at you. It wasn't....but if ya like I can come up with something for ya.

[SCompRacer]

And it wasn’t a real bad comment….hell, I danced on Broadway once. I wasn’t naked, it wasn’t in New York, but I was drunk.

[tonyb]

And it wasn’t a real bad comment….hell, I danced on Broadway once. I wasn’t naked, it wasn’t in New York, but I was drunk.

In Boys Town ? Rich...I never knew.

[Devlon]

Not to the point that you would say it was worth the coin. Why only stream Mog anyway ? What are you using at the moment ?

As far as online music streaming MOG is the only one that universally streams at 320kbps