jeffnesh
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Dedicated stereo setup looping in AVR help
bierfeldt
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You have the right idea.

I have never heard a bad thing about those Golden Ears and, my understanding is they pair extremely well with the Parasound Halo Integrated. Another poster mentioned they were looking at the same combo and it is getting rave reviews. The Parasound has a great internal DAC and will not require an external.

In regard to the B&W 683s, some people like them. I really don't. There is a grainy forwardness to that 68x line of speakers that simply despise. I would look seriously at the PSB Imagine Ts are $2400 and the Monitor Audio Silver 8s at $2000. The Kef Q900s at $1800 are also great speakers.

Beyond the Parasound, I know it is a touch more but look at the Musical Fidelity M6si at $3K. Musical Fidelity also makes a stellar DAC and that M6 line offers superb amplification. The Cambridge 851 does not have an internal DAC.

I have not looked at the Schlitt or the Mytek and have no POV. I personally would consider the Musical Fidelity MX DAC. This new MX line from MF is fantastic and I am considering this DAC and the MX VYNL phono stage for my system.

jeffnesh
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Thanks much. Some new speakers to research/try out... I'm not sure the MF M6si has home theater bypass. The M650 definitely calls that out, but at a much higher price point. I'll check out the MF DAC as well (and I do have a turntable...depending on the amp, may or may not want to add a phono stage). Also would like to get an eye/ear on the Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 and the AURALic Vega, but they're moving up in price as well...

Thanks again.

bierfeldt
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You are looking at a total spend well above what I was originally thinking if you are considering the AURALic Vega. I am familiar with it and it is awesome. That being said, if you are even considering the AURALic, you are beyond the Parasound and Cambridge units. They can't reproduce what the Vega is going to output. Its like putting a Ferrari Engine in an Accord.

The Musical Fidelity M6si does have a HT bypass, it is just poorly labeled on their site. Check out the manual. There is an Aux 1/HT input and switch that you will set to HT.

I would also look at the Rogue Audio Pharoah. It does not have an internal DAC, but that should not be an issue if you are considering an external. The Pharoah is a hybrid design that a tube/class D. I own the Rogue Audio Hydra Power Amp which is a very similar design and it sounds like a solid state class A. I have it paired with an Ayre Acoustics preamp. It has both a processor loop and an HT bypass cryptically labeled Unity Gain.

Regarding DACs, I would look seriously at the Benchmark HGC DAC 2 for $2K, the NAD M51 for $2K or the Bryston BDA2 for $2395. These are all fully balanced designs like the Vega, are a little less expensive and mind bogglingly good DACs. The Vega is great, and if you have the cash for it by all means. I am unfamiliar with the Wyred 4 Sound.

Both the Musical Fidelity and the Rogue Audio have good internal phono stages. The Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ for $650 would be a step up. I would start with the internal units and if you are unhappy, step up to a nicer unit.

jeffnesh
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So this is what's so interesting/terrifying about this hobby... I'm only into researching your first DAC suggestion, the Benchmark. Very interesting buzz on this, as well as their accompanying AHB2 amp. Looks like their model is to eliminate the pre-amp all together (and still offers home theater bypass!) to great result. The DAC2 has analog inputs, so I assume I could add a phono stage for turntable to the DAC?

Thanks again.

bierfeldt
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Pair that Benchmark DAC with a Vincent Audio SP-331MK Hybrid Power Amplifier for $2500 or a Rogue Audio Hydra for $3K you will have a very, very sweet system along with a Musical Surrounding Phonomena II or a Vincent Audio PHO-700 for a phono stage, you would have a really sweet two channel rig.

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