This is the system I use in my bedroom. The only piece I bought new was the Denon CD player.
Have been thinking of eliminating the preamp all together since I have only plans for CD format. Perhaps use the Benchmark DAC-1 directly to the power amp.
Tried the Benchmark DAC-1 and it was nice, but not quite the improvement I had hoped for.
So, instead, I upgraded the preamp from a Yamaha C-80 to a Proceed PRE. The Yamaha was/is pretty good, but the PRE is better. It's a bit more spacious and open than the Yamaha. I am keeping the Yamaha though for a headphone amp and phono section.
I've owned the Audio Refinement Complete alpha cd player in the past ... a very fine player IMHO for the price, but several that I've owned since have improved on its performance.
Marantz DV-8300 universal player (much more analog sounding than the AR, with less emphasis on individual performers in the soundstage but more overal musicality)
Sony NS999ES with Modwright sig. truth mods (large soundstage and very neutral, also very musical, SACD format sounds better than redbook CD on this player and is the first to really open my eyes in this area, plus tube rotation makes for a nice option if a change in sound is desired)
Audio Aero Capitole MKII SE (I can't say enough good things about this player, it's just simply amazing on cd's, but that's the only format it plays)
If you decide to go with the AR player, I found the isoclean isolation cones with a cardas golden reference powercord and cardas neutral reference interconnects have helped tame the digital edge coming out of this player, still it is a great player for the money, probably one of the best ones in its price range ... but you'll need a preamp for it too. If you can spend the money to try out the monster sigma retro gold interconnects and speaker cables for a system around this player, I find that they do bring out lots of air around the instruments.
I disagree with the above, I mean no offence. However, save your money and buy an Audio Refinement CD player (used around $500-600), and invest in a good pre amp, I used to run what you propose and a good pre amp beats the heck out of CD direct. Especially if you have decent power, which you do. My advice, do some justice to that fine amplifier, give it the best Source player you can buy- trust me, the Denon is not even in the same ball park as the Audio Refinement, and that is putting it mildly. How do I know? I own both, including a Denon 1650AR, as well several Sony ES, Adcom, Luxman, Rotel and others, none are a match for the AR.
IMHO, Audio Refinement is the best value for the money I have ever come across, (esp. used) my ears tell me this, and so does my pocket book.
sell the denon and the yamaha, save up some money and get a used audio aero capitole MKII cd player (has an inbuilt preamp and dac) ... you will never look back.
In the meantime, just enjoy what you have at the moment.
