Pre-amps with built in DAC and Phonostage

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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Due to limited rack space in my family room rack, I will probably have to consolidate some things. As such, I'm looking for a preamp with a built in DAC and Phonostage.

Mcintosh 2500 comes to mind....

Any others?
 
Mike said:
Due to limited rack space in my family room rack, I will probably have to consolidate some things. As such, I'm looking for a preamp with a built in DAC and Phonostage.

Mcintosh 2500 comes to mind....

Any others?
Click to expand...

I've done a sweep of what's out there and I'm sure that someone else makes what you are looking for BUT the Mc 2500 looks very cool to me and it does exactly what you want. It will be interesting to see if there are other options as well.....my gut says that there not.
 
My only concern about the 2500 is that the DAC is just "so-so" and the phonostage is apparently below average (reading user reports). But...I guess you can't ask for too much out of only one box.
 
The Mac 2500's DAC is really very good. It is on par with the best separate DACs in the $2-3,000 level which makes it a very good value.

I don't know about the phono since I never used it. I do think as a preamp the 2500 is better than the 2300 it replaced as I compared the two at the dealer and then decided on the 2500 at that time.
 
Mike said:
My only concern about the 2500 is that the DAC is just "so-so" and the phonostage is apparently below average (reading user reports). But...I guess you can't ask for too much out of only one box.
Click to expand...

What I would do is get a really good pre/dac and get something like this Moon phono stage SIMAUDIO MOON 110LP PHONO PREAMP at Music Direct You can find really great phono stages that are really small and you could just stuff it somewhere behind the pre or somewhere on the rack behind something.
 
the professor said:
The Mac 2500's DAC is really very good. It is on par with the best separate DACs in the $2-3,000 level which makes it a very good value.

I don't know about the phono since I never used it. I do think as a preamp the 2500 is better than the 2300 it replaced as I compared the two at the dealer and then decided on the 2500 at that time.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jock. I'm still considering it. The JOB225 (Goldmund sound) has thrown a monkey wrench in my plans.
 
Absolare said:
What I would do is get a really good pre/dac and get something like this Moon phono stage SIMAUDIO MOON 110LP PHONO PREAMP at Music Direct You can find really great phono stages that are really small and you could just stuff it somewhere behind the pre or somewhere on the rack behind something.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. That's a definite possibility. The Zesto and Manley Chinook are also options. The issue is rack space. I only have two shelves. Wife will not allow a bigger/wider rack. Bugger!
 
Mike, it won't hurt to try the c2500. If you decided not for you... you can pass it to me. :D
 
dlb2 said:
Make the wife happy and get a Bose. Simple all in one solution. You don't even need to worry about speaker colors! ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I told her this and she said, "yeah, you'd probably just sell that too."
 
Rtan said:
Mike, it won't hurt to try the c2500. If you decided not for you... you can pass it to me. :D
Click to expand...

Ron - I may just do that. :) How does the C50 compare to the C2500? I've read a few prefer the C50 over the 2500. Thoughts?
 
Absolare said:
Furutech GT40 DAC - £395 - Outboard DACs Here ya go.....
Click to expand...

Too big! :)

hfc342_furutech.jpg
 
Absolare said:
What about the Vitus R100 RI-100 - AVA GROUP A/S ( Vitus Audio ) Integrated with DAC AND phono stage and amp and volume control....it has EVERYTHING!
Click to expand...

Yes...I asked my friend for a quote on that this morning.

The new Mc 8800 integrated is an option too.

If Classe would finally upgrade the CP800, I would be all set. They told me this morning, "sometime early next year". Whatever. What a running joke this has become. When it finally comes out, it will already be outdated!
 
Mike said:
Yes...I asked my friend for a quote on that this morning.

The new Mc 8800 integrated is an option too.

If Classe would finally upgrade the CP800, I would be all set. They told me this morning, "sometime early next year". Whatever. What a running joke this has become. When it finally comes out, it will already be outdated!
Click to expand...

Try an Antelope Platinum Dac with Voltikus PSU and an iFi iPhono. DSD256 capable, top notch preamp function and the TINY iPhono punches way above its $400 price with all manner of Phono EQs selectable.
 
From Vitus this morning:

Hello,

Thank you for your interest in our products.

DAC:
It is not 100% ready yet - expected to release in 1Q14. Normally we do not
support DSD - but we are considering to do so on the RI100 DAC board which
also caused the delay in release.

RIAA:
The total gain is about 65dB and hence handles MC - however not recommended
for outputs below 450-500uV.
Load is not selectable - and needs to be specified at order. The load can be
changed - but by changing a resistor physical on the modules.

Rgds
Vitus
 
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