Looking for a good pre/pro that equal's a DAC 1

[ericwatson]

I want to hook up a mac mini with a fiber optical to take benifit of bass management i use two small sat speakers and a subwofer for 2 channel music
and also want to use it for surround sound movies I am looking for a preamp-processor that matches the benchmark dac 1 sound qaulity

[ericwatson]

dose anyone know this

[Kevin D]

Changing the title and moving the thread to a general audio forum. A lot of people add a DAC 1 to Rotel products to improve the sound, so I doubt you will get many recommendations just in the Rotel forum.

Kevin D.

[ericwatson]

I cant belive no one has an opinion

[Burke Strickland]

ericwatson,

This is not a chat room. People don't hang out here just waiting to pounce on the latest question someone posts. One day is NOT an unreasonable "delay" in getting a reponse.even in an area where people DO have an opinion. And frankly, impatient follow-up posts expressing surprise that no one is "jumping right on it" puts a lot of people off who might have otherwise been inclined to participate in the thread.

Having now expressed my opinion about that, I also have an opinion on your original topic about the need for an external DAC. Many pre/pros do benefit from an external DAC, even a relatively inexpensive one like the Benchmark DAC-1. Other units have internal DACs that are superior to it. Of course, individual tastes may lean toward the sound passed along by a given unit regardless of its relative quality or price.

My experience with the Integra Research RDC-7's superlative performance on two channel music leads me to conclude that it does NOT need the "benefit" of an external DAC to yield magnificant two channel results. On the other hand some RDC-7 owners may still feel like they need an external DAC, after reading all the wonderful things others post about them. But probably not a s large a proportion as those who own older Anthem (pre-Statement), Rotel or B&K pre-pros.

However, the Integra Research RDC-7 was reviewed by at least one highly respected professional in direct comparison to a highly regarded external DAC (guess which one), and the RDC-7 won. Since the RDC-7 is out of production, you might find a "pre-owned" one at a fairly reasonable price on Audiogon or eBay (I have not checked either place recently -- that's research you will have to do).

Good luck,

Burke

[ericwatson]

thank you Burke sorry for the Impatient I hope more will give there opinions
I only want a preamp processor with equal digital dacs if not better to the dac-1
and i need to use the bass management in the processor for music and movies surround sound so i need to keep it all digital until it goes to the power amps
again sorry for being Impatient

[Jeff]

Eric, I don't know of any pre/pro which will match the Benchmark DAC1. To come close you will need to seek the highest level of pre/pros. Starting with the Levinson Model 30, Lexicon 12 or 8. McIntosh 119 or 135, Anthem or Class'e model SSP-600.

I posted a thread about this subject a year or so ago. My objective was to find a pre/pro at the same level or high when compared to my Rotel RCD-1072 CD player. Based upon the replies, know one knew of one. It was generally felt that dedicated cd players of good quality, set themselves apart from the dac's in most HT processors.

I'm very interested in this subject, as I to am looking for an HT processor with DAC's better than my CD player. Being an owner of a Benchmark DAC1 and knowing what it has to offer, well let's just say, that's some pretty big shoes to fill.

Jeff

[DrJRapp]

That's going to be hard to find.....I currently own a DAC1 and an Anthem Statement D2. The DAC1 trounces the Anthem in SQ, therefore I use the DAC1 into the 2 channel XLR "bypass" input of the D2.

[aud19]

That's going to be hard to find.....I currently own a DAC1 and an Anthem Statement D2. The DAC1 trounces the Anthem in SQ, therefore I use the DAC1 into the 2 channel XLR "bypass" input of the D2.

You should tell him how much that D2 retail's for too Jerry 8O :lol:

[peterS]

why is a mac mini and its "bass management" being used if pre/pros of such cost are being considered :crazy:

[ericwatson]

peterS the mac mini is the music server I want the peramp processor to do the bass management for me

[peterS]

oh i guess im confused as to what is intended

could you please reiterate what equipment you have and what you plan to do

to me I read it as using the mac mini as a universal player and eq and using a surroundsound procceser as a dac for two satelite speakers

[Jeff]

Well DrJRapp, I'm sorry to hear you say that. I had hoped that someone might come along and tell of an incredible pre/pro that tops the Benchmark...for under $5000!

Jeff

[chinets]

Here Here Jeff , Me too, I am VERY curious!!