DACs With Killer Built-In Preamps

For those with more limited budgets, or who feel that spending big bux does not necessarily give you the best value for your dollar, the Emotiva XDA-2 DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp might be a great way to go. And at only $399 with a 5-year, transferable warranty and a 30-day in-home trial, this could be just the ticket.

Emo also has a very highly-regarded, fully-balanced, differential reference preamp available for $899. Check out the XSP-1 for more details...

www.emotiva.com

-RW-

I have been eyeing two :

- Calyx Femto
- M2Tech Vaughan

I'd take a hard look at the Empirical Audio DAC, and a lot of people seem to like the Berkeley DAC run directly into an amp as well. Best of luck.

Also look into the Aesthetic pandora. It has a preamp / VC option based on technology from their acclaimed calypso tube preamp. It is supposed to be a phenomenal DAC to boot. It is right at your pricepoint.

Boulder 1012!!!