Quote Originally Posted by juniper View Post
AC sounds like a great unit, may want to check out the DR database to see whats coming through...I am sure what is stored in many instances will be from a cd type format, for convenience.... and at least you can check your ears or your space and ears....your 5000 dollar preamp may be great, dont know haven't heard it...A dac can fix somethings... I know one thing, with my Altecs it is all about system synergy, and source material...price has little to do with it for me..
The preamp is a kit and was 'only' $500. The front end is a Mac Mini, which runs $599, but I had my son's old one already. My 604Ds were $1100 w/ cabs. It's the 300B monoblocks at $2300 including (8) 300B tubes that is the lion share of the $$$.

So given that, $750 for a top shelf DAC is not out of place. This thing can do 32/192kHz sampling natively, possibly 384 in the new configuration. This makes it almost future proof, at least in my lifetime. Now all I need is source material that good.