ninetonmantis
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- Jul 9, 2023
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Good evening (or afternoon!). I've been lurking on this sub for a bit as I gather information on components to prepare to upgrade my current system. Most of the equipment I have was given to me by my dad as he upgraded his own components over the years. Unfortunately, it's vintage equipment that only has RCA in/out. I'm currently running a PS Audio 4.6 into a PS Audio Delta 100. The speakers are Paradigm Monitor 9 v1s. I also have a Kenwood KD 500 turntable going into my pre. It's time to upgrade; its 2023. However, due to costs, I can't do it all at once.
As such, I've decided that the first upgrade will be a DAC for a number of reasons (e.g., I cannot replace the speakers right now because of an impending move and I'm ripping a lot of CDs and listening to a lot more digital music). I see three routes available:
1) I like what the Okto dac8 stereo has to offer a lot. However, as many of you know, it does not have RCA out. In order to run it properly, I would most likely have to purchase a new amplifier. I've been looking into amplifier replacement options and while I haven't picked one out, I'm looking at either a pre-built hypex or purifi model. Ideally, it would have both XLR and RCA inputs to allow me to connect the dac along with my existing pre, and switch between the two as needed.
2) The Benchmark Dac3 HGA is another option, as it has RCA in as well as out, and I could sort of use it as a pre-amp (I guess?) for the time being. However, I'm cognizant that I'll be murdering the sound quality of Dac3 either going into my pre or amp. Also, I'm also not as impressed with the digital input selection available on that model and the blinking lights in place of the okto's LCD readout is not impressive either, especially given the price difference between the Benchmark and the Okto. Furthermore, the increased cost of the Benchmark is close to the cost of a new amp.
3) Alternatively, I could purchase a new pre-amp, such as the DIY Hypex Preamp or Benchmark LA4 and either use an XLR to RCA cable for the time being into the Delta 100 for the former, or go RCA out on the latter. I understand that is not ideal, and the cost of either preamp will be at least the cost of a new amp (or significantly more in the case of the Benchmark pre).
I'm a bit confused as to where I should go from here. I've tried getting advice from my dad, but his technical knowledge is limited and his head is still stuck in the 80s and 90s (i.e., you don't need XLR, its garbage, RCA is better, buy some new BS Audio equipment, etc).
If anyone has any insight as to which of three routes laid out above, I would greatly appreciate it. More than likely, I might be missing alternative paths, and I'm more than open to any suggestions.
Thank you in advance, and happy listening!
~Paul
As such, I've decided that the first upgrade will be a DAC for a number of reasons (e.g., I cannot replace the speakers right now because of an impending move and I'm ripping a lot of CDs and listening to a lot more digital music). I see three routes available:
1) I like what the Okto dac8 stereo has to offer a lot. However, as many of you know, it does not have RCA out. In order to run it properly, I would most likely have to purchase a new amplifier. I've been looking into amplifier replacement options and while I haven't picked one out, I'm looking at either a pre-built hypex or purifi model. Ideally, it would have both XLR and RCA inputs to allow me to connect the dac along with my existing pre, and switch between the two as needed.
2) The Benchmark Dac3 HGA is another option, as it has RCA in as well as out, and I could sort of use it as a pre-amp (I guess?) for the time being. However, I'm cognizant that I'll be murdering the sound quality of Dac3 either going into my pre or amp. Also, I'm also not as impressed with the digital input selection available on that model and the blinking lights in place of the okto's LCD readout is not impressive either, especially given the price difference between the Benchmark and the Okto. Furthermore, the increased cost of the Benchmark is close to the cost of a new amp.
3) Alternatively, I could purchase a new pre-amp, such as the DIY Hypex Preamp or Benchmark LA4 and either use an XLR to RCA cable for the time being into the Delta 100 for the former, or go RCA out on the latter. I understand that is not ideal, and the cost of either preamp will be at least the cost of a new amp (or significantly more in the case of the Benchmark pre).
I'm a bit confused as to where I should go from here. I've tried getting advice from my dad, but his technical knowledge is limited and his head is still stuck in the 80s and 90s (i.e., you don't need XLR, its garbage, RCA is better, buy some new BS Audio equipment, etc).
If anyone has any insight as to which of three routes laid out above, I would greatly appreciate it. More than likely, I might be missing alternative paths, and I'm more than open to any suggestions.
Thank you in advance, and happy listening!
~Paul