[Mass. Wine Guy]

Frank Van Alstine has a used DAC for sale and I'm interested. But assuming one's setup includes good amplification, wouldn't using a DAC modify or distort the true sound of the amp and/or preamp being used? Or would it just take all the good stuff and make it better (not too subjective a statement, eh)?

Thanks.

[srb]

If you have digital music in any form, whether CDs or downloaded files, you have to have a DAC to convert it to analog somewhere in the mix.  That DAC could be internal to the CD player, in a soundcard, or an external component.
 
Steve

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I guessed that much. I was referring to an external DAC so the CD player's (or whatever) DAC isn't used.

[opnly bafld]

Or would it just take all the good stuff and make it better (not too subjective a statement, eh)?

Better or worse, like all components.

Lin

[srb]

I guessed that much. I was referring to an external DAC so the CD player's (or whatever) DAC isn't used.

Okay, then the external DAC is no more altering the sound of the amp than an internal DAC.  One could argue that having an extra pair of interconnects and using the S/PDIF protocol to connect the transport and DAC might not be as good of an approach as a direct internal I²S connection, like in a CD player, but most people have found that it takes a pretty good CD player to beat a modest transport and decent external DAC.
 
There are, of course, exceptions.  Many people in this forum have really liked the Virtue Piano CD player compared to some of their transport/DAC combinations.
 
Steve

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I remember seeing comments about the Virtue Piano CD player. I'm interested in it, too.

[eclein]

+1 Virtue Audio Piano M1 CD Player.....I honestly feel it is the best CD player I have ever owned. 
http://store.virtueaudio.com/product-p/vrtu-cd-pianom1-pbf-1.htm

[Stu Pitt]

Along with what Steve said, it depends on the gear itself.  There aren't any rules that apply to everything.  All seperates don't sound better than all integrated amps.  There ate some receivers that sound better than seperates, even though they're few and far between.  Ever hear a Magnum Dynalab receiver?

If you're looking to audition stuff, listen to it and judge everything on it's own merits.  Can't go wrong if you forget about rules and judge with your ears. 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Along with what Steve said, it depends on the gear itself.  There aren't any rules that apply to everything.  All seperates don't sound better than all integrated amps.  There ate some receivers that sound better than seperates, even though they're few and far between.  Ever hear a Magnum Dynalab receiver?

If you're looking to audition stuff, listen to it and judge everything on it's own merits.  Can't go wrong if you forget about rules and judge with your ears.

True enough. I just bought (not yet received) an Arte Forma I-150 integrated amp and am very eager to evaluate it. But I'm keeping my Morrison ELAD preamp.

[JLM]

Let us know what you think of the Arte Forma.

A good pre/power/integrated amp will only amplify (and possibly impedance match where needed) the sound and should follow the ideal (simple wire with gain) concept.

So an amplifier should have no sound of it's own.

[Mass. Wine Guy]

A good pre/power/integrated amp will only amplify (and possibly impedance match where needed) the sound and should follow the ideal (simple wire with gain) concept.

I agree with what you said, whatever it means.

I also just bought a used OmegaStar DAC from Frank Van Alstine. If all goes well, that hould be some nice icing on the cake.