Digital inputs in high end 2-channel preamps


.
Why don't we see digital inputs in high end 2 channel preamps? With the proliferation of digital devices, a digital input seems like a natural. Is this something we can expect on the horizon?
.
128x128mitch4t
There are, afaik, three preamps:
McIntosh C48
McIntosh C50
Classe CP800

and an integrated
Harman/Kardon HK 990.

There must be more.

Kal
There are products from Bryston, Meridian, Stello, Grace, Accuphase and Goldmund that I know of in addition to the Boulder mentioned above. I can only assume there are others.
.
Okay, I'll fess up. I'm an Audio Research fan through and through. I was hoping that AR would do this in their Reference series preamps going forward. As Onhwy61 said above, they could build it into the preamp in a modular fashion whereby they could swap out a module on the chassis to update the DAC. I believe if a few of the recognized audiophile names like Krell, Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, Pass Labs, ect, built such a unit, it would standardize the concept and the rest of the high end community would fall in line to be competitive.
.
And we're now seeing more and more items marketed as dedicated DACs that can also do some source-switching and volume control -- that is, act as a preamp in their own right: Benchmark and the new Bel Canto 3.5 come to mind. So, seems indeed like there is a growing convergence. That said, suspect that there will always be a place for stand-alone, single-purpose units.
Post removed