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Originally Posted by W9TR
I’m a huge McIntosh fan - just take a look at my signature. The inbuilt DAC’s in current McIntosh gear offer an unprecedented level of convenience and integration.
But there are better DAC options out there for sure, so if you have the space and desire to experiment a bit you will find a vast array of DAC’s that have different sonic signatures than the ESS DAC’s that McIntosh uses.
I wouldn’t look at it economically....a Topping D50 is pretty much the same as a DA2 and sells for $150.
It’s a win-win. Buy a McIntosh product with a built in DAC. If you like it you are done. If not you can always get an external DAC.
Tom
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Agreed. I love Mac amps. Pick the one that’s right for you, and if it has a DAC built in, consider it a bonus feature. The DA1 and DA2 sound great. But they don’t offer adjustable filters or other tweaks if you like that sort of thing. But there’s nothing wrong with having multiple DACs at your disposal. Just like having multiple cartridges or turntables.