Looking for DAC/CD player solution

Indiesound

I think your A5 is a good idea...I owned one for several years and now have the Ushers you are attempting to drive...though I have not heard them together! But I would feel comfortable saying the two will work well together. I do not recall that the A5 has an Optical IN, therefore you would need a DAC (look into that).

If I were you I would look to get a DAC that could handle all of your sources without changing wires...PS Audio, Bel Canto and Benchmark are all nice choices...find out which one will accept most of your intended sources. That's why a Pre/Pro (Anthem/Arcam) are good choices...they can handle many sources and have internal DAC's that might not be as good as a stand alone DAC, but are very nice.

Given the number of sources you wish to listen to you can't really go wrong with a DAC, whereby a DVD/CD/Blue Ray player only addresses 1 source when you listen to many others.

If you are going to get a Squeezebox down the road you might want to look into their Transporter unit that might be able to have other sources plugged into it to act as a DAC (not sure).

Cheers

OK, thanks for all that info. First, let me answer your question: "What is a transport?"

Using a CDP as a transport means that you don't use the analog outputs of the CDP, only the digital outputs. When you do this, the sound of your CDP is really the sound of your DAC (which could be stand-alone like Benchmark 1 or Pre, in the integrated amp like the Musical Fidelity A5.5, or in the Pre/Pro/AVR). Doesn't really matter, the key is that the sound is not really coming from the CDP - it's from the DAC.

So, I'd suggest getting the Oppo 980H and use it as a transport to feed your DAC. If you want to get blu-ray then wait for the BD-983. As cheap as the 980H is, you can get it now and get the BD-983 after your system is together and sounding fine. The goal here is to buy one great DAC and not waste money on DACs and analog out for each source component. Hope that is clear.

Indie, you've listed lots of source components with a mix of digital and analog sources. So, as Bob recommended earlier, the Benchmark DAC Pre is probably your best bet here. Because it is a pre-amp, you don't really need an integrated amp like the A5. This is because the A5 is both a pre-amp and an amp so you'd end up with 2 pre-amps. On the other hand, you have a lot of sources and the Benchmark has limited input connections, so the extra inputs on the A5 could save you some cable swapping. Your call, but I'd just buy an amp and connect the DAC Pre straight to it. You can always buy another pre-amp (or pre/pro) later.

So this leaves you with what amp to buy. I recommend you start a new thread and ask what amp to buy to drive your speakers and go from there.

IMO, cables are not that important. By that I mean, do not over spend. Your cables sound fine, and I'd just keep them until you get your system set up. (FYI - your coaxial/optical cable question does not make any sense to me). As Chad recommends, you should map out your system, with connection and connection types (USB, RCA, SPDIF, speaker wire, etc) to get a feel for how your system will operate. If you do it in powerpoint and save it as a jpg, you can post it and get feedback.

Please bear in mind that my sticking point is budget. Need to acquire all my stuff used or “incredible value” new. Looking for the best audio quality for the dollar. With that in mind:

Are you simply pushing a pre/pro or Benchmark Dac Pre1 due to the simplicity of all the hookups?

I don't mind switching each time i wish to change the source. With the benchmark, there is no remote, so i'd have to get up anyway, and changing volume by hand would be annoying as well.

Another question, how would the sound differ with a MF A5 with a DAC as compared to DAC1 Pre? Would the MF A5 have an effect on the music as well?

Also, i've read a few reviews on DAC1 Pre, does the music sound good due to the DAC or the preamp? Would a great int amp WITH the DAC1 sound better?

Please keep in mind that i AM strongly considering the DAC Pre1, just trying to compare it to a MF A5 with DAC1 performance. The price would end up about the same.

The Benchmark is also so new that it's hard to find much info about except reviews, which people have said to take with a grain of salt. I'd also have to pay full retail price as there are almost no discounts and none available used.

Don't really need HDMI inputs as i've never really seen HDMI inputs on pre/pro's or amps except home theater receivers/surround processors. USB is also unnecessary with a Squeezebox.

As far as a CDP/DVD/Blu ray, again will be buying the new Oppo in Feb/March anyway (am waiting to see how it's reviewed) or just get a Panasonic for $200-$300. To stress this again, i will be buying it regardless, because i want a Blu ray player, the CD and DVD basically come "free". But again, willing to spend for a good stand alone CDP if that is what is necessary, but would prefer to drop that money into a good DAC, so that all my sources can improve, not just one.

Thanks again.