Why buy a DAC when you have a high end pre/pro?

I've been wondering about the same issue for a while. I haven't currently delved in, so my comments are based on reading.

You can buy a used Proceed AVP or Theta CasaNova for less than 1000. Some commonly mentioned DACs are the Benchmark (around 1000), the Del Canto (2500) and the Musical FIdelity xDac (like 1500.)

So it seems a matter of how much you want to invest. A true high end DAC can exceed the price of a very nice pre-pro. So it makes sense that it would probably better the pre-pro when you consider the many functions of the latter. With that said, the pre-pro is pretty versatile and something like a used Proceed or Theta are big bang for the buck.

Just some thoughts.

Sorry I've been late to respond back, Puerto. I was agreeing with your original point. What I stated about ADC applies when the chain is Digital Source > DAC > Processor > ADC > processing > DAC. In other words, if you have a digital out from the source and you throw a DAC in the chain before the processor, it may well be that the processer immediately (and without option) does an ADC. This would be the case with Meridian for example.

I guess I meant to say that adding a DAC in that specific instance is actually a negative since it causes two more conversion steps to occur.

But for many (those without high quality digital domain processors) the outboard DAC is better than a cheap one that my be "onboard." But only if they have an analog pass through (that avoids the ADC - DAC step in the processor). Sorry I was not more lucid!

Kjweisner: No Problem - I got it now! We are on the same page.

Bmdduck: Your thinking is perfectly logical. Putting your Pre/Pro to the test first seems to be the best first step. One can always add a DAC (and more money) if the pre/pro is not living up to the listeners expectations. I certainly don't mean to imply that money spent on a good DAC like the Benchmark or Bel Canto, for example, is a waste of money. . . It may very well be the next step up the ladder for those who want more! My budget tells me exactly how much I can't live without!