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Better to buy a high end network player with a DAC?

A good network player does alot.  And some really good players on the higher end include a dac.  Seems to get a really good player, you need to have it come with a dac.  And these dacs seem really amazing, but you lose independence that a separate dac allows.

Why do they force an internal dac on you, and is it all that bad?  Advantages with an internal dac?
jumia
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
965 posts
 
I don't know if there is an advantage to an onboard DAC but they build them cause people want them.  Some peeps just dont want to mess with another external piece.  Not all great players come with a DAC.  I think the Bryston BDP series is an example. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Lumin U1 mini doesn't have a DAC but perhaps that's not high end.
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 
I'd like to think of it the other way around: a DAC with a built in network player. Emphasis is on the "DAC" part.

However, as they say, there are a million ways to skin a cat
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,652 posts
 
The obvious advantages of a built-in DAC are simplicity and cost. You are also relying on the manufacturer to provide better synergy between the components, since they have more control and can presumably provide better integration.

However, if you're interested in high-end streamer-only components, consider ...
Lumin U1 (higher model for the U1 Mini)
Aurender N10 and N20
Wolf Audio -- several models
Sonore Signature Rendu Optical SE

Based on my experience with digital, I feel that keeping the components (especially separate power supplies) separate is even more important compared to analog. @antigrunge2 has an awesome thread that talks about this in detail.

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