A separate dac and preamp or a good dac with pream

Thanks to all your feedback.

I am using a reasonable sacd player, Marantz SA8005. My digital system now is, USB from computer to VLink 192 then to SA8005. The sound quality is not as good as playing the cd direct with the player. This is what started me to look into a dedicated dac.

I was hoping a dedicated dac with preamp would be better and can replace my passive preamp so the system,basically stays the "same number of pieces". No need for new rack and arrangements of the space. I still love the Accuphase A30 power amp for its smooth delivery and unfatique sound. No slams, no bells, just smooth music. It's the passive pre that is the bottle neck now in my system. To get a good preamp would cost another 2 grands or so more and I still need to get a proper dac in due time.

Thanks again,
Raymond

I would suggest that adding an unnecessary component and set of cables could be considered unnecessary signal disruption

Doug - good point!, although would not agree that separate components are "unnecessary". They have their advantages as well.

Half of a DAC IS analogue... hence the name.

Lokie - Doh! Perhaps I should have thought this out better.

Hi Georgelofi,
Was thinking what you meant when you said bit stripping. Did some reading and now fully understand. Thanks.

Rockadanny has a point about individual components has its benefits, if I'm in the ultra end. Mine is a simple budget system, don't think the difference would be a deal breaking, especially the new dacs are getting better with their preamp implementations.

I have basically narrow down to 3 dacs, Bel Canto dac2.5-used, Benchmark dac2 HGC-used, or a NEW Teac dac UD503. All 3 units have preamp function and very close in price (within my budget).

Once again, thanks to all your input. Cheers
Raymond

Hi All,
Interesting to read a thread about using the Oppo 103 to dac and remove the computer away from the system as the Oppo 103 could read direct from an external hard disk. There I would have taken 2 components from the system, namely the computer and the sacd player. Interesting.
Believe, the sale of the sacd may be enough to purchase the 103 :-) ;-)