Any good Integrated amps with optical inputs?
ESV1955 -- Sat, 05/24/2008 - 22:06
Are there any good integrated amplifiers or pre-amps that have a good quality DAC with a digital input? I am having to use a Monarchy DAC for my music server because the Yamaha DAC's are so awful and would like to simplify things by eliminating the Monarchy stand-alone DAC.
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1999 - 2011 NextScreen. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
Sorry, I'm a little confused. Since the Yamaha MCX1000 is a music server (CD, Hard Drive, Wireless), why are you looking for an integrated amp to replace it?
Also, what is your budget?
I'm not looking to replace the music server but I would like to replace the Monarchy DAC and Parasound pre-amp with a unit that performs both functions. The Bryston amplifier is aged but still performs perfectly so a pre-amp or integrated would do. I have no specific budget in mind although most of my components are in the 1,200-2000 rangte.
Bryston 2BLP Parasound Halo p-3
Infinity Kappa 400 M&K MX-70
NAD T-533 Yamaha MCX-1000
Thorens TD-185 Monarchy 33
Grace M 902
and
Bel Canto Dac3
Either will replace D/A and preamp functions. Both have Toslink, AES EBU, Coax and Toslink connections. The Grace also has analog.
Both deliver seriously good sonics.
And both are reliable, well-built units.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I meant to say that both offer USB as well.
Not much sleep last night due to my brother-in-law's demise.
Death sucks.... :x
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
StevenStone1 wrote:I meant to say that both offer USB as well.
Not much sleep last night due to my brother-in-law's demise.
Death sucks.... :x
I offer sincere condolences at a very horrible time. Thank you for taking the time to give me some clues to follow up. Very best wishes.
Bryston 2BLP Parasound Halo p-3
Infinity Kappa 400 M&K MX-70
NAD T-533 Yamaha MCX-1000
Thorens TD-185 Monarchy 33
You should check out the Benchmark DAC1 Pre. It combines Benchmark's DAC (which has been very well reviewed, and is used by many professionals) with a preamplifier. It has several analog inputs, source switching, and a volume control.
Robert E. Greene reviews it in the next issue of The Absolute Sound (Issue 183, August cover date, June 27 mail date). The issue has a digital focus, with reviews of seven CD players, a major feature on hard-disk music acquisition and storage, and Jonathan Valin's review of the dCS Scarlatti three-box CD/SACD playback stack.
Robert Harley