Integrated vs using DAC or old NAD 1700

The weak point of the older NAD integrateds was easily the preamp section, in my experience. Not sure about the current ones, as I've not owned one. The last one I owned was a 320BEE. That, the 304, and a PE series integrated had the same weakness.

I haven't listened to DACs with preamps built in to give much insight. However, preamps make a very audible difference in my experience. Bryston's B100 is a great integrated amp. I'd easily take that over a 2B/NAD integrated preamp/seperate DAC.

I don't know your budget or financial situation to suggest something, nor do I really know what sound you're after. I don't like DACs built into other stuff, as I feel it's not the best long term investment nor the most flexible. I'm a big fan of integrateds, but when there's a DAC section in it, that'll become obsolete far sooner than the rest of the box. I get that 80's receiver with 8 track vibe. Amplification remains current far longer than sources do. I'm not saying digital music will become obsolete anytime soon, but the bit rates, sample rates, jitter reduction, etc. will most likely evolve far sooner than good ole amplification will.

No experience with the Bel Canto DAC/integrateds, so no comment. If I were to get an integrated with an internal DAC, it would definitely be the Bryston B100 or Naim SuperNait. Both have a good amount of digital and analog inputs and sound great.

Just my opinions.

Thanks much for your thoughtful response. To clarify, though, the NAD 1700 is a preamp/tuner - it is not an integrated. There is no amplifier section. And the 1700 is approximately 20 years old.

Finally, the 2bsst is about 1500 less than the b100sst integrated

Owned a 1700 for 20+ years, from new.
Really flexible 3x turnover tone controls, good phono section and rumble filter.

What's not to like? BTW, I think I bought mine in '87 or so.......

That being said....I don't know how well the NAD house sound blends with the colder Bryston.

What kind of speakers are you using? If you contemplate a sub, the 2nd set of preouts on the NAD may come in handy, even though they are 10v for long runs.

Many competent / good integrateds out there without spending at the Bryston level. NAD? Cambridge? Rotel? You could even go the Emotiva route, but that's not the way I'd go.

If 'ya gottta have the Bryston, go all the way.