New budget Hifi System - Need help

[malibumike]

Hi,

I've recently been playing around with using a Surface pro as a dedicated music server, and i'm liking it so far. However, I'm interested in a DAC...I have a bunch of noob questions though, i'm hoping you can help me.

Here's is setup:

Surface pro connected to denon 1913 avr through mini display port to hdmi. Denon feeding 7.1 klipsch reference II speakers, sub is jamo sub 650 (I only listen to 2.0 for music). Using Foobar2000 on the surface, and controlling it with tablet/phone. The setup sounds nice, but of course it could probably be better.

Questions:

It's my understanding that most component dacs typically connect to an amp / receiver via red/white analog cables? Would that be better than how I have it setup through hdmi?

Is it ok to use the denon avr with the dac? Or should I look into buying a separate amp to power the 2.0 speakers.

If I bought an amp, would it be ok to run speaker wire to my main left and right channel speakers, and keep them connected to the denon as well? basically having them connected at all time to both the receiver and the amp.

 

[markw]

By having your source connected to your Denon via HDMI you're using the DAC in your receiver.

Yes, if you use an external DAC instead of the Denon's, you'll have to use the red/white interconnect. Now, whether it's better than the Denon's DAC, I cannot say. It depends on the quality of the two DACS

you most certainly can use the Denon with an external DAC by usingthe aforementioned red/white interconnects. Whether you choose to replace it with a standalone amp is a decision only you can make.

As for having your speakers connected to the Denon and another amp simultaneously, don't! ...unless you like the smell of smoke and want an excuse to replace one of both of them.
.

 

[malibumike]

Thanks for the answers markw. I actually thought it was using surface pro's dac...so that really helps me better understand.

Does using analog red/white connections degrade sound quality? Opposed to a digital hdmi signal?

In your opinion, and since I'm sort of looking to buy more gear : ). Do you think a separate DAC would be worth the 400-500 dollars that i'm willing to spend on one? I know you said you cannot say whether Denon or another DAC would sound better. Just looking for opinions on what you/everyone would buy to improve sound quality.

The end game here is to have an easy to use setup, where I can quickly access entire music collection that's on an external USB hard drive and control it with an android app. Of course I want the system to sound good, and I'm very curious about DACs. The only "audiophile" grade dacs I have expeirenced are from Fiio products e17, e18, and x3 dap. I still have the x3, maybe I should try connecting that to the receiver to see how it sounds compared to denon...