Lexicon DACs vs. outboard DAC (1 Viewer)

[Justin Keith]

I am in the process of upgrading my system, and I am trying to decide what to do as far as a processor goes. I currently have a Pioneer Elite VSX-07TX receiver. I am buying an Anthem MCA 50 225w X 5 amp to push my speakers (paradigm reference v2 studio 100s, CC, and ADP). I really want to improve my 2-channel performance. I am using 2 sony 555 ES cd changers with an Escient system. I am either going to buy an outboard DAC, perhaps a Theta, Classe, Music Fidelity, etc. or buy a whole new pre/pro. I would like to spend around $1000. That basically forces me to go used, which is ok. Question is, as far as 2-channel only goes, which would be the best DAC? Outboard with receiver (analog bypass) or Lexicon? Thanks!!

 

[Sihan Goi]

Are you going to be using your Pioneer receiver as your prepro? If so, is there a direct mode on the receiver that lets you pass the digital signal faithfulyl with no digital signal processing? If so you would benefit from an outboard DAC, especially that upsamples and reclocks. For the budget conscious, I've read good things on the Perpetual Technologies unit. There are a few others below your $1K budget but I can't remember them off the top of my head. Perhaps others might provide some insight.

 

[Justin Keith]

The question of using the receiver as the pre/pro is part of what I am trying to decide. If I go the Lex route, the receiver will move to the bedroom. If I get an outboard DAC, I be using the receiver as a pre/pro. It does have a direct mode (analog bypass). I have used an outboard DAC with it before (CAL Sigma II) and it worked well.