[WC]

Digital Sources > DAC > Preamp > amp which would also be analog sources > preamp > amp or

Digital sources > DAC/preamp > amp which would also be analog sources > Phono preamp > DAC/preamp > amp

Which way would you choose? I keep going back and forth as to which one to do. I know a lot of this would depend on the quality of the chosen components. Assume they are all of comparable quality.

[HT cOz]

I would keep the pre-amp seperate from the DAC as the pace of change in the DAC space is too quick to marry the DAC to the Pre. I would consider a good integreated though.

[Elizabeth]

Agree keep the DAC apart from the preamp.
A lot of folks are moving to integrated amps. Anda lot of good integrated amps are being made now.
(for a long time there were almost none)
Keep the phono prepre separate also from the integrated or preamp/amp
I would say buy lesser used DAC and used phono. a good integrated.
Later you can upgrade the dac and phono. And with having purchased used, you can sell the first ones for about what you paid.