I got my SOnos up and running and quite impressed how simple it was, but am wondering if there is any benefit in getting an external DAC? I currently have my SP80 going into my Integra 7.8 receiver via optical.

thx

I got my SOnos up and running and quite impressed how simple it was, but am wondering if there is any benefit in getting an external DAC? I currently have my SP80 going into my Integra 7.8 receiver via optical.

thx

Neville, this has been battled to death in this thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1006811; if you want to wade through it you might come to some conclusions about whether or not an external DAC would benefit you. Bottom-line on whether one DAC is better than another, or whether most listeners can detect differences among them, depends on your set-up and personal preferences.

I use a PS Audio DLIII with my Squeeze Duet and can hear differences between both the Duet's DAC and my Onkyo TX-SR805's. I know the Benchmark DAC-1 is also popular with DMPs in the 1k range. I have previously used a Musical Fidelity A3.24 with my Squeezebox3 to good results; they can be found used for $500-600.

Probably the best thing to do, if you can, is audition one for yourself and see if you hear a difference in your rig, and whether that difference justifies the purchase price.

CD

Thx for your input. If I was just to use optical and end up going into my receiver, would throwing in another DAC in the middle be a waste of funds ?
I could be wrong but would I be not just adding another "transport" of digital sound i the chain ?

Throwing in another DAC between the SONOS and the AVR will mean that you have to use analog inputs on the AVR and all that entails. Don't bother.

Thx for your input. If I was just to use optical and end up going into my receiver, would throwing in another DAC in the middle be a waste of funds ?
yep
I could be wrong but would I be not just adding another "transport" of digital sound i the chain ?
you would be adding an unneeded Digital to analog stage, and possibly an unneeded analog to digital stage, depending on how your AVR treats analog inputs...

just go digital (coax or optical) from the ZP-80 to your AVR and then start enjoying your music...

Throwing in another DAC between the SONOS and the AVR will mean that you have to use analog inputs on the AVR and all that entails. Don't bother.

Kal, what's wrong with the analog inputs on an AVR?

CD

Kal, what's wrong with the analog inputs on an AVR?There are two possibilities:
1. The analog inputs are re-digitized to permit bass management and EQ but suffer from redundant A/D/A conversions.
2. The analog inputs are passed through in analog so that one cannot use the bass management or EQ features.

K I will not add another DAC in the chain. I did some A-B testing and really could not tell a difference between my Sonos & Flac files to my Marantz SA8001. I do have some SACD only player titles but not enough to keep the player just for that and nor the titles. I'll play with it a bit more before I decide to sell it.

KAL, how can I check on my Integra 7.8 receiver to find out if it performs 1) or 2)? I currently have my LP12 going into a Jolida phonostage and then into analog inputs... I dont detect excess bass and nor do my subs turn on...

thx

KAL, how can I check on my Integra 7.8 receiver to find out if it performs 1) or 2)? I currently have my LP12 going into a Jolida phonostage and then into analog inputs... I dont detect excess bass and nor do my subs turn on...
thxRead the manual.

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I'm going through the same thing. My thoughts here are I'm looking to add a tube based 2 channel preamp with HT bypass into my system. In this case I'm considering an outboard DAC into the preamp, to avoid the DAC into the ZP80.

Current setup is ZP80-Integra 9.8-Dali Helicon 400s