Digital inputs in high end 2-channel preamps

Well, Mitch4T, check out the McIntosh C48 and C50 pre's. They have 2 optical, 2 coaxial, and 1 USB port. I have one, and for me personally, they could've left that nonsense off. I hate paying for technology that I personally will never use. But for you guys who think you need it, this is a superb preamp. It has a superb DAC in it for this.

Part of the reluctance on the part of manufacturers to build, and consumers to buy, a single box with both preamp and DAC might be that DAC technology is changing so quickly. Keeping them separate has the same advantages as other separate components provide, a simpler upgrade path and more choices in tailoring the sound to your liking.

There would be many drawbacks. The only real plus I see is that most DACs do not have as good of output sections as a good pre amp IMO.

I think the convergence of preamp and D/A converters will accelerate. There are any number of D/As that function as preamps. I believe Theta was the first to do it, but there are excellent to state of the art offerings from Benchmark, MSB, Wadia and Esoteric. And I think we are going to see more products like the McIntosh C48 (a very good, but not great digital section) which are full function preamps with digital inputs. As a product niche they make a lot of sense and have no downside. The D/A can be designed as an add on circuit board card, much like some phono preamps, which can be readily replaced as new technology advances.

There are, afaik, three preamps:
McIntosh C48
McIntosh C50
Classe CP800

and an integrated
Harman/Kardon HK 990.

There must be more.

Kal