The new and the vintage. There is probably no better, more elegant way to integrate the finest of modern digital sources with a high-end system than through Audio Research’s long-awaited DS-Pre ($7495). This solid-state device combines a line-level preamplifier with a DAC in a single, unified chassis. In its role as a preamplifier, it accepts two balanced sources via XLRs and three single-ended sources through RCA jacks, with balanced and single-ended outputs. Add to this five digital inputs based on the DAC technology, a comprehensive menu system and digital conversion up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution and you’ve successfully bridged the analog and digital chasm.