How may peoples are using amp+DAC for mp3 files ?
- Thread starter paramesh
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just4kix
Well-Known Member
I think that you have a notion that DAC is good with flac and CD only. How good an MP3 will sound will depend upon the the separate DAC and the DAC within the AVR.
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some amps like NAD and CA has inbuilt USB DAC. is it helpful ?
just4kix
Well-Known Member
Usually (and usually) a combo or everything-in-a-box is a compromise of sorts. Separates are generally better. But that is the axiom. There could be exceptions. While I cannot comment on NADs or CAs, it is better to audition and then confirm.
However, that said, most people cannot tell a difference between two similar DACs - they think they do but they can't. I for one cannot tell a difference. Then DACs are available from $50 to $6000. But unless you are a true grade audiophile, have the capability of musicians who can spare each note separately and matching equipment (read speakers), there is no point in having one part of the equipment as high grade. As the axiom goes - the network is as fast as the slowest pipe - similarly the sound system is as good as the worst equipment in the range.
greenhorn
Well-Known Member
I am using a standalone DAC and active speakers with my laptop, and they make a world of difference. but if you have an AVR (and your sig seems to indicate that you do), the built in DAC should do fine.
rohitmusic
Well-Known Member
By "amp" do you mean "sterio amp"? And it is the better than using AVR to play music (mp3)?
In that case yes, a dedicated sterio amp will definitely sound better than most AVRs. For casual music listening AVR can be fine. If looking for true HIFI quality sterio then using dedicated sterio "amp" is recommended.
But not sure if this is what you meant.
yes,I am asking same. Now I have Marantz 5006 avr with MS aviano 6. looking for integrated stereo amp for mp3 files and original CD's.
my doubt is whether amp can do better job than AVR or not for mp3 songs ?. any how amp is good for orginal CDs .
Well Suresh I am also in the same dilemma. I for one am not able to find any difference between mp3s routed directly to speakers through Ymaha AVR or through DAC Magic and CA Azur. But then I can not conclusively say that this is true in all situations as I also noticed only a marginal improvement when I played Flacs through DAC/ Amp combination. I think in my case the speakers are the weakest link.
I think onkyo is purly on movie side.when going amp we can get much difference.
rohitmusic
Well-Known Member
OK Suresh,
my doubt is whether amp can do better job than AVR or not for mp3 songs ?
Answer: Yes, it will sound much better than AVR.
any how amp is good for orginal CDs
Answer: Let us refer to amp as "sterio amp" as it is generally known. Irrespective of the media type (CD/mp3) a dedicated "Sterio amp" will almost always sound better than an AVR.
BTW: I have heard the Marantz 5006 AVR and it is quite musical in itself as compared to other AVRs. If you are happy with the sound then it is fine really.
It will be better if you could listen to any dedicated "sterio amp" and hear for yourselves. You can listen to marantz sterio amps like 5004 and hear for yourself. If you find it is worth getting sterio amp then fine else use the 5006 itself. Usually you will find that overall resolution will be better in sterio amp as compared to AVR. For casual listening you have a very musical AVR and should be good. If you want for dedicated listening then check the sterio amps.
(P.S: I think you already know that sterio amp will not have DAC in it so it will be needed to be purchased separately. The DAC plays a major part in sound quality.)
here I can use Marantz DAC (AVR pre outs -> amp -> speakers).is it fine using like that? or Some amp has inbuilt DAC,are they good ?
rohitmusic
Well-Known Member
Honestly I don't know how good the Marantz inbuilt DAC is, so cant comment on that as I have no experience of that.
Yes, there are some amps with inbuilt DAC I recently heard one amp and was nice.
Usually it is better to keep components separate and get dedicated DAC even if it is basic quality now. If you do this if you get bored of the DAC then you can always upgrade DAC only and your amp stays same.
Or if you like the DAC and want to change amp you can do that also. This will give lot of flexibility. So it helps. No problem with inbuilt DAC also but it is less flexible this way.
May I know which amp and which speakers r u using ?
I am using a KEF Q300 powered by circa 2002 NAD 320BEE amplifier which is connected to CA Dacmagic and result is day night for HD audio, FLAC and even on 128/320vbr MP3s
It's no secret that similarly priced integrated AMP can outperform a jack of all trade AVR with all bells and whistle like auto EQ etc.
Just like there are good AMPs and average ones, there are good DACs and bad ones. The difference between an entry level DAC and reference/mid one much more perceive able than difference made by consumer grade wires and audiophile one.
But nothing can help if either you Drivers or source itself is suboptimal
It's no secret that similarly priced integrated AMP can outperform a jack of all trade AVR with all bells and whistle like auto EQ etc.
Just like there are good AMPs and average ones, there are good DACs and bad ones. The difference between an entry level DAC and reference/mid one much more perceive able than difference made by consumer grade wires and audiophile one.
But nothing can help if either you Drivers or source itself is suboptimal
To answer your question in short, yes it will. I use my laptop (with Asus Xonar U3 as DAC for the moment), and iPod to play mostly 320kbps mp3, and they sound quite a lot better on the Sonodyne amp than they used to with the Yamaha AVR. SQ is much fuller, with more definition.
A beautiful, well-constructed speaker with class-leading soundstage, imaging and bass that is fast, deep, and precise.
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