Is this setup equivalent to stereo amp

[balajeem]

Hello,

normal dvd player - digital out (coax or tos) -> dedicated DAC -> AVR

is the above equivalent to

a good CD player anlog out ->stereo amp

one of my friend has only AVR, want to suggest him to go for DAC as I want him to use the AVR to meet his requirement of 50% music , 50% movies.

he is skeptical on investing in a separate stereo amp.

My views :

A good stereo amp always gives better results.

using dac + avr combo still not a bad setup either, can give good results - avr to be used is Denon ( don't know the model number he has ). Speakers I vaguely remember was Wharfdale.

 

[manniraj]

Before investing in the DAC you can ask your friend to try out the digital out of the DVD player to the digital in of the AVR and see the performance in pure stereo mode (stereo without any surround sound processing) as the AVR also has a built-in DAC (may not be as great as a dedicated DAC but nevertheless it should be good). If it suits then he can continue as stereo listening on the AVR cannot be as good and equal to a simple stereo setup. As he is into 50% for both stereo/movies I think going with the AVR built-in DAC should be a good option if he wants VFM but a dedicated DAC can still make a difference with the existing setup if the AVR's DAC is pathetic

 

[balajeem]

thanks, this is already a considered option, sustained listening can cause ear fatigue in my view which could be wrong also. want to minimize the circuitry usage in AVR i.e. only to be used for amplification hence want to use an external DAC. thanks for your views also, will ask him to try this anwyays which was on the plan.

 

[ranjeetrain]

Hi balajeem,

Please don't base your opinion on knowing the fact that AVRs have a lot of additional circuitry. That is letting theory decide what you hear. Go by your ears.

Take two cases: Case 1, you spend in a good CD player, a good interconnect and an stereo amp. This setup facilitates a two channel play. Case 2, you spend on a cheap DVD player, a cheap optical cable and an AVR. This setup doubles up as an entertainment center for the whole family. Now compare the sound from the two setup as well as their cost. Two channel setup is likely to cost more and do less. As a result, it will do certain things better than matter to a lot of people quite a lot. Just see if you like the sound from the AVR. If you do, keeping in mind the money spent, it is a good option. If you think the added cost is justified for the gains made in sound is worth to you, go for a dedicated CD player and stereo amp based setup.

PS: This is a very common question and has been discussed a number of times already. Please do some search and you can find a number of threads that answer your question is great detail.

 

[ranjeetrain]

Duplicate post.