You’re welcome. Congrats on the purchase! The CP 800 is optimized for use with its USB DAC input. I highly recommend that you use its USB DAC input to stream music. Its USB input sounded the best compared to its other inputs.
In regards to PS Audio Direct Stream DAC, not too long ago there were quite of few of them offered for sale here and they were all used and quite a bit cheaper than their original MSRP since PS Audio is going to release its flagship statement DAC soon or might just already came out as we speak.
But if you’re happy with the Classe CP 800 preamp/DAC then stick with it. It is a great preamp/DAC unit built around its USB input configuration signal path and I’m pretty sure it will sound significantly better than your Teac. Everyone who bought the CP 800 use its USB input to stream music as a preamp/DAC/music renderer. If you’re strictly looking for a linestage analog preamp (no DAC) I wouldn’t recommend the CP 800 as there are better options out there in similar price range as the original MSRP of the CP 800 ($6k when purchased new). But since you’re looking for a DAC/preamp combo that can perform better than your Teac so that’s why I recommended both the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC or the Classe CP 800 to pair with your Classe CA-2300 power amp and Vandy speakers.
The CP 800 is more of a preamp product with built-in DAC whereas the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC is a DAC (digital source component) that happens to have a built-in digital volume control so people can use it as a DAC/preamp by setting the output to variables or use it strictly as a DAC (source component) by setting the output to fixed gain and connect it to a linestage analog preamp or analog integrated amp. With the CP 800 you have no other choice but use its volume control as a preamp/DAC and won’t be able to use it strictly as a DAC (source component) and connect it to an analog linestage preamp like you do with the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC. In other words, you won’t be able to set the output of the CP 800 to fixed gain like that of the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC.
Lastly, the CP 800 has analog inputs and can be used as an analog linestage preamp whereas the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC does not have analog inputs as it is more of a DAC (source component) than it is of a preamp.
In regards to PS Audio Direct Stream DAC, not too long ago there were quite of few of them offered for sale here and they were all used and quite a bit cheaper than their original MSRP since PS Audio is going to release its flagship statement DAC soon or might just already came out as we speak.
But if you’re happy with the Classe CP 800 preamp/DAC then stick with it. It is a great preamp/DAC unit built around its USB input configuration signal path and I’m pretty sure it will sound significantly better than your Teac. Everyone who bought the CP 800 use its USB input to stream music as a preamp/DAC/music renderer. If you’re strictly looking for a linestage analog preamp (no DAC) I wouldn’t recommend the CP 800 as there are better options out there in similar price range as the original MSRP of the CP 800 ($6k when purchased new). But since you’re looking for a DAC/preamp combo that can perform better than your Teac so that’s why I recommended both the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC or the Classe CP 800 to pair with your Classe CA-2300 power amp and Vandy speakers.
The CP 800 is more of a preamp product with built-in DAC whereas the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC is a DAC (digital source component) that happens to have a built-in digital volume control so people can use it as a DAC/preamp by setting the output to variables or use it strictly as a DAC (source component) by setting the output to fixed gain and connect it to a linestage analog preamp or analog integrated amp. With the CP 800 you have no other choice but use its volume control as a preamp/DAC and won’t be able to use it strictly as a DAC (source component) and connect it to an analog linestage preamp like you do with the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC. In other words, you won’t be able to set the output of the CP 800 to fixed gain like that of the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC.
Lastly, the CP 800 has analog inputs and can be used as an analog linestage preamp whereas the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC does not have analog inputs as it is more of a DAC (source component) than it is of a preamp.