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DAC question - is music streamer DAC better than mcintosh DA2?

I am planning to buy a MA12000 or MA9500 or MA8950, all of which have the new DAC (DA2) along with a music streamer. While I perusing the posts here, I see that several of you have suggested not to rely on the mcintosh's DA2 and instead, rely only on the music streamer's DAC. If that is true indeed, then what is the point of spending thousands of $$$$$ on a mcintosh? wouldn't a more reasonable (price-wise) manufacturer suffice? 

What are the other considerations for me to understand? Thank you :)

nathandfwacoustics
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
976 posts
 

Purdy sure thats a ESS Sabre chip and you have to imagine a NOT slouchy implementation. 

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
359 posts
 

@oddiofyl i can run mine all day and it barely breaks a sweat.  When I put my hand on the heat sinks they’re barely warm.  And it sounds outstanding.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,825 posts
 

Not many products you buy today are built as good as those amps.   75 years building them says a lot.  

p05129
498 posts
 

All dacs/phono stages built into an integrated amp or separate preamp are comprises vs a good standalone. I had a newer high budget McIntosh preamp a couple of years ago with a built in dac and phono preamp, which didn’t sound anywhere close to my external dac and phono preamp. Now if you have a couple thousand $$$ external dac, then you should compare the dacs to see which 1 you like better.

Other than that, I like the McIntosh integrateds.

cherbib
40 posts
 

I have a MA12000 running NOS tubes.  My sole source is a Pro-Ject StreamBox Ultra 2, plugged into the internal Mac DAC.  It works great, sounds great, and takes up virtually no space.  And yes, the MA12000 never breaks a sweat, regardless of what it's driving.  

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