Spending on dac vs amp

A $250 DAC in a $8,000 rig, you're joking right?

It all starts at the source, why skimp there? NOS and newer cheap wall wart P/S DACs can't compete with newer high res DACs, there's no comparison.

I'd suggest a 30/20-25/25 for an Integrated/DAC. The other 50% on speakers and cables you'll be well on your way to a very nice rig.

Spend only $250 for a used DAC? Geez, how horrible that will be! And in a system of otherwise fairly decent performing products? NOT! You're pushing your luck to find any DAC, new or used, for less than $500, and probably closer to $1000, that will have any chance to bring the music to any level of reality that you would expect the other components to achieve. Spend more on the DAC and look for a good deal on a used CDP for $100-200. The difference between DACs is magnitudes greater than the difference between transports.

And $3000 for an integrated? What? A top performing line stage from ARC (LS5), CJ (Premier 10/14), BAT (VK5) from 10-15 years ago, can be had in the $1000-1500 range that if matched to a SS amp from the same company or others like from McCormack, would easily be less than $3k and pretty much destroy any $3k integrated amp. And you'd have $500 or so extra to get a better DAC.

There are so many phenomenal speakers under the $2k range that for an $8k system, I think you will be mightily impressed. No need to spend more at this point.

I'm a huge proponent in putting top-tier cables in a system, but I'd start with DIY or low-cost speaker cables and stock power cords. The only exception would be to invest a few hundred for an IC between the line stage and amp where it makes a major difference with line stages like the ones I mentioned.

FWIW, I just bought/received the Emotiva XDA-1 DAC for $299 (shipped w/30 day money back trial).

I’ve got it connected to my VTL IT-85 (80watt, EL34, Integrated) which are driving a pair of Dynaudio Special 25’s. Don’t laugh until you try it… it sounds really good. For sources I’m feed the DAC with an Apple TV2 and an old Roku Soundbridge as well as a really old HK CDP (as a transport).

In a week or so I’ll drop it into my main rig and see how it holds up to a >$3000 DAC…

I'd recommend finding equipment that you can audition at minimal cost. There are a number of dealers online with very flexible return policies.And there may be local dealers who will allow in-home auditons. Try different combinations of equipment until you hit your sweet spot. With an $8k budget, I'd factor in some return shipping/restocking fees that may be necessary before you hit the right combo. Buying used and reselling here on Audiogon is another way to go about it.

Haven't heard the Emotiva, but I'd generally agree with sentiments here on using a $250 DAC. It all starts with the source and anything lost from the source's signal will prevent your other components from reaching their full potential.