Advice on using a dac with my avr

What makes sense is to get an anthem STR preamplifier. This will allow you to bypass the studio 60. Have the same issue you are experiencing, and I am in the process of saving up for a parasound preamplifier as this is a budget option for me. I have had more than one expert Tell me this is the way if you were going to combine your home theater with your two channel system. 

My take:

the MARANTZ AVR is the weak point and known compromise in your HT system performance for maximizing your 2-channel audio music enjoyment.

Both @soix and @gkelly both have a valid point IMO. The preamp in any AVR is primarily focused on HT with its artificial multichannel glitzy features at the distinct and not insignificant compromise for 2-channel audio performance maximization.

At what pricepoint of external DAC are you considering to add in ? Inserting an external quality build DAC representative of the same build and price-point strata of the rest of your system, but still using the direct outs pathway from the AVR preamp, won’t provide you a meaningful 2-channel audio performance step-up you seek. ( if any ).

Similarly, in the context of $$ paid versus value received, I am highly skeptical that a more modest budget class external DAC won’t provide that “aha!” or “Jesus moment “ stepup from what you have in the AVR now.

Budgets matter big-time for sure…we all face that $$ compromise in our journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City in Audio OZ. Until you can comfortably consider a proper upstream reworking of your HT audio system for added performance emphasis for 2-channel audio , I would live with what you have now.

This crazy hobby maximization is a journey and not a quick shortcut destination.
Good luck, sir , and choose wisely.

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@akg_ca +1! Good advice!

@sandrodg73 

You are receiving some genuine and honest advice from quite knowledgeable forum members. Obviously the final decision is yours to make. Take heed.

Charles

Thanks guys for your input. And thanks for not being condescending like mr sux. Sorry. I mean soix.