I recently went about starting to piece together my first modest system 6 months ago. My buget was $850. I picked up a Marantz PM5004, two bookshelf Boston Accoustics CS26 speakers as well as a Denon ASD-11R dock. My goal was not too big and best sound for dollar. So far I'm very happy. All my music comes from digital sources (airport express from my mac or my 160GB ipod). I don't plan on adding vinyl for a while as I move around a lot for work and rarely have an opportunity to set up a proper listening room. I have a ittle extra cash to spend. I just don't know where to put it next to be most effective. I have $500-600. I listen to all kinds of different music. Indie rock, classic rock, hip hop, gangsta, grunge, country, classical, trance, electronic, lo-fi, pop, 50's, funk, soul, blues etc. Basically I love music, hence getting the system. I have heard a quality DAC would enhance my listening exerience since I'm strictly digital right now. Am I better off putting money into a DAC (if so which one) or saving my money for when I can actually set up a proper full system? I've read good things about Peachtree's idac, Benchmark's DAC1 (both above my price range but if as good as advertised it might be worth jumping up) and Camberidge DacMagic. I just don't have enough experience in this world yet to know if a DAC is worthwhile. I want the most out of my listening experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I recently went about starting to piece together my first modest system 6 months ago. My buget was $850. I picked up a Marantz PM5004, two bookshelf Boston Accoustics CS26 speakers as well as a Denon ASD-11R dock. My goal was not too big and best sound for dollar. So far I'm very happy. All my music comes from digital sources (airport express from my mac or my 160GB ipod). I don't plan on adding vinyl for a while as I move around a lot for work and rarely have an opportunity to set up a proper listening room. I have a ittle extra cash to spend. I just don't know where to put it next to be most effective. I have $500-600. I listen to all kinds of different music. Indie rock, classic rock, hip hop, gangsta, grunge, country, classical, trance, electronic, lo-fi, pop, 50's, funk, soul, blues etc. Basically I love music, hence getting the system. I have heard a quality DAC would enhance my listening exerience since I'm strictly digital right now. Am I better off putting money into a DAC (if so which one) or saving my money for when I can actually set up a proper full system? I've read good things about Peachtree's idac, Benchmark's DAC1 (both above my price range but if as good as advertised it might be worth jumping up) and Camberidge DacMagic. I just don't have enough experience in this world yet to know if a DAC is worthwhile. I want the most out of my listening experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated.