Because you want everything hooked up and no swapping, you have to either keep the Pioneer, or replace it. It cannot be eliminated. You have multiple inputs (TT and digital audio) therefore you need a proper preamp stage. And you have speakers, so you need an amplifier stage. There's no way around it. Getting these Schiits will not remove the need for preamp/amp combo.
Considering your budget, and your desire to get the best sound for your money, I would really suggest you get an integrated amplifier. You could make one purchase and be done. You can always tweak it with external components down the line if you want to get a little more out of your system, but you will always need the preamp/amplifier stage regardless.
I get your disdain of the black box. In particular, 80's components are terribly ugly. Here's a suggestion. It's a touch over your price point ($899) but it's a dynamite performer. Yamaha A-S801. It's a beautiful design, has phono stage, internal DAC that accepts USB, optical or coaxial (so you could plug in your laptop and a TV as well). Also has a sub out, and 2 sets of speakers. You can also run Yamaha's in 'pure direct' mode, which turns off internal cards, so the signal is direct. It's quieter and cleaner. If you don't know about Yamaha, it's very well regarded and punches well above its price point. It's also a looker.
You will not spend less than $900 and get a better combo of dacs, phone, headphone and pre/amp stage without buying used and even then, maybe not.
Plus, if you order from Music Direct or Crutchfield, you get try it out and send it back if you don't like it. They have cheaper models, but you'll lose some things like USB, A+B speakers, smaller wpc, etc.
Because you want everything hooked up and no swapping, you have to either keep the Pioneer, or replace it. It cannot be eliminated. You have multiple inputs (TT and digital audio) therefore you need a proper preamp stage. And you have speakers, so you need an amplifier stage. There's no way around it. Getting these Schiits will not remove the need for preamp/amp combo.
Considering your budget, and your desire to get the best sound for your money, I would really suggest you get an integrated amplifier. You could make one purchase and be done. You can always tweak it with external components down the line if you want to get a little more out of your system, but you will always need the preamp/amplifier stage regardless.
I get your disdain of the black box. In particular, 80's components are terribly ugly. Here's a suggestion. It's a touch over your price point ($899) but it's a dynamite performer. Yamaha A-S801. It's a beautiful design, has phono stage, internal DAC that accepts USB, optical or coaxial (so you could plug in your laptop and a TV as well). Also has a sub out, and 2 sets of speakers. You can also run Yamaha's in 'pure direct' mode, which turns off internal cards, so the signal is direct. It's quieter and cleaner. If you don't know about Yamaha, it's very well regarded and punches well above its price point. It's also a looker.
You will not spend less than $900 and get a better combo of dacs, phone, headphone and pre/amp stage without buying used and even then, maybe not.
Plus, if you order from Music Direct or Crutchfield, you get try it out and send it back if you don't like it. They have cheaper models, but you'll lose some things like USB, A+B speakers, smaller wpc, etc.
Thanks. I like the size of the Emotiva. This would require those banana plugs?
I doubt it. they just accept banana plugs. The likely unscrew and you secure the wire behind them, then screw them back down. Emotiva is good about answering their phones. You can call or use their chat function to confirm.
I have the topping ex5. Its a combo headphone amp, and dac. It also has a bluetooth receiver that does the highest quality ldac standard. It also decodes mqa(not that its necessary and maybe snake oil, but thats a different discussion).
Its quite complicated with many charts. If you dont understand it, thats fine. All you need to know is that it produces an extremely clean signal with extremely low noise and distortion in both the DAC and headphone amp. This measures better than the schiit products but those are good too.
Going the component way will give you way better sound than any integrated amplifier. Most integrated solutions will have much worse signal to noise ratio. However, the simplicity of an integrated solution is nice.
I highly suggest the mani 2, as will improve the sound. Also, as others have suggested, definitely check your cartridge.
The schiit sys is what I suggested before to switch between my analog and digital systems, its simple, cheap and transparent.
How do I go out from the EX5? I dont know what these 3 prong plugs are, but I used to use MICs with that type plug.
Correct. Pro audio, like your mic uses xlr connections. This is a better balanced connection to prevent against ground loops. All pro grade amps use xlr inputs. Its great to have but not necessary. You would just use the regular rca outputs on the ex5 to your amp. In the future if you upgraded your amp and it has xlr, you’re ready bc you have the capability.
Also in general, in terms of upgrading sound in terms of components, the most important is your speakers or headphones. The difference will be dramatic and noticeable. Upgrading your amp and dac is less important and much harder to hear.
Then I just need 1 input for turn table, put my FLAC on USB and this can play them.
So you guys dont like this? Good reviews, replaces everything, cheap, 30 day return.
It doesn't replace everything for you. You would need a DAC to support your laptop (no USB-A on that device, and the DAC is only 16/44. That's only cd quality). You would also need a phone stage. There is no phono amp on it.
You get what you pay for, that's what I would say.
Topping makes a wonderful DAC. I still have a Topping D70 that I connect a computer to my vintage 1971 Marantz 2245. I was very happy with it over the years.
Topping makes a wonderful DAC. I still have a Topping D70 that I connect a computer to my vintage 1971 Marantz 2245. I was very happy with it over the years.
Comments
Considering your budget, and your desire to get the best sound for your money, I would really suggest you get an integrated amplifier. You could make one purchase and be done. You can always tweak it with external components down the line if you want to get a little more out of your system, but you will always need the preamp/amplifier stage regardless.
I get your disdain of the black box. In particular, 80's components are terribly ugly. Here's a suggestion. It's a touch over your price point ($899) but it's a dynamite performer. Yamaha A-S801. It's a beautiful design, has phono stage, internal DAC that accepts USB, optical or coaxial (so you could plug in your laptop and a TV as well). Also has a sub out, and 2 sets of speakers. You can also run Yamaha's in 'pure direct' mode, which turns off internal cards, so the signal is direct. It's quieter and cleaner. If you don't know about Yamaha, it's very well regarded and punches well above its price point. It's also a looker.
You will not spend less than $900 and get a better combo of dacs, phone, headphone and pre/amp stage without buying used and even then, maybe not.
https://www.musicdirect.com/integrated-amp/yamaha-a-s801-integrated-amp?variant=AYHAAS801S&gclid=CjwKCAiA9tyQBhAIEiwA6tdCrBXihwv8lz72pYLUOVeCTuFaILLkFO4zOokK3h2YprjGB6psbnSUnhoCzyMQAvD_BwE
Plus, if you order from Music Direct or Crutchfield, you get try it out and send it back if you don't like it. They have cheaper models, but you'll lose some things like USB, A+B speakers, smaller wpc, etc.
If your'e willing to throw down another grand, then the Peachtree Nova is highly regarded. But you pay for the size efficiency, at $1700
https://www.audioadvice.com/peachtree-nova300-amplifier+color-Gloss~Ebony~Mocha?gclid=CjwKCAiA9tyQBhAIEiwA6tdCrHlydp9iDk2pnfn1mTvt0bRpxbIntCbwDM1atDr_J11K7XJPvFhNlBoCCzwQAvD_BwE
How do I go out from the EX5? I dont know what these 3 prong plugs are, but I used to use MICs with that type plug.
Im trying the Grado SR80x headphones now. I like them, open back, non canceling.
You get what you pay for, that's what I would say.
I guess yes need phono preamp...
Peachtree Audio nova150 Integrated Amplifier with DAC
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224851814029
Ideally im going to swing it all to the left or right, and get a couch under that window.