Hello,
I have currently a home-built HTPC with an M-Audio 2496 card with analog outputs connected to my old NAD 3225 amplifier.
I am looking to replace the amplifier (power supply noisy)and want to take the opportunity for an upgrade.
I was looking to spend about $1000 for an amplifier.
Then I saw the Bel Canto e.One C5i, with integrated DAC and S/PDIF inputs (my M-Audio card has S/PDIF output); it is more costly than my initial target, but would (possibly ?) give me better DAC conversion in the Bel Canto unit. Is this true ?
Alternatively, I could go for a cheaper amplifier (thinking of Cambridge Audio 650), and spend the extra money on a new pair of speakers (currently using old JMR Millesime 1); for a modest amount, I could also upgrade my PC audio card to the e-mu 1212m, which seems to be well appreciated (for better analog output); going higher end to Lynx would be too expensive (might as well stick with Bel Canto).
So I guess the core of my question is whether it is better to do he DAC conversion on a PC card or outside in a dedicated DAC unit, or an integrated amplifier (at comparable price ranges, as I indicated above) ?
Note: I am using Windows Media Player, with wma lossless, have installed the ASIO plugin (found in this forum; great !).
Thanks for the help. I have found this community recently and it is great !