Pros & Cons of Buying an Integrated with Built-in DAC?

heh, just re-read and caught up.  Didn't realize you bought a Wells.  That one looks very nice!!

Hey Guys,

It has been a pleasure reading this specific post and have learned a lot. Thank you very for sharing.

I also have the Hegel 80 bought used on Audiogon and am loving it. I was intrigued by the addition of an outboard DAC to inscrease the SQ. I had no idea that this is possible or even feasible. Now I know! Thank you all 😄😄. 

I like the H80 SQ and was wondering or more like curious as to which D/A would you suggest under 1k that could potentially surpass the performance of the H80 internal DAC? Would I connect the outboard DAC to H80’s an1/an2 or XLR?
I beleive my H80 is V2 due to an additional line out on the left rear panel which is currently hooked up to a sub. 

I have 

Sincerely, 
Greenbie 😁😁

You sound pretty happy with your present set up, so why the desire to change?  I am guessing that for under 1K for a new DAC you will be making a lateral move. Not to disparage any DAC in that price range, but Hegel has a solid reputation and I suspect that the DAC  in your integrated would probably be comparable to others in that range.  Keep in my mind that I haven’t heard the Hegel, so I could be talking out of my a**...
  At 2K you are into some seriously good DACs by Mytek, Benchmark, Schiit and others.
  Of course you could get a used DAC, as you did with your amp

Thanks guys.😀
There were lots of talk about adding a separate DAC. I thought perhaps I could upgrade this way rather than ditching the Hegel. 
The SQ on Hegel 80 is solid. Just curious as to should I ditch it and update to better one up my one box to multiple, which I am planning on it and keep it the Hegel for my small room.