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All in One DAC/Pre/headphone amp vs Separates

Current top end: PC to PS Audio DLIII DAC with Cullen upgrades to Audio Research LS8 tube Pre to Ray Samuel Raptor tube headphone amp.

Status: the LS8 finally went to audio heaven so, the question

buy another tube pre-amp and plug in or....

Buy one of these new all in one type gear, looking at

B.M.C. Pure DAC
Grace M903
April Music Eximus DP1

Thoughts, assistance appreciated. Have a hard time giving up "tubes" somewhere in all this digital world.

THANKS
mlapenta
mlapenta OP
104 posts
 
i have beyerdynamic dt880 600ohm with moon audio silver dragon wire. looking for as warm as possible and more important howit would act as preamp to the acoustic zen adagio speakers via class d amps (channel island) thx
mlapenta OP
104 posts
 
I tried the WA7 at a recent nyc audio show and frankly was not impressed. i thought it sounded thin and analytical unlike their great high end tube amps.
thompsontechs
18 posts
 
Oh my, I just had to revive this thread. The WA7 FF with tube supply is ANYTHING but thin to my ears. I have the HD800s, but prefer my modded HD650s warm, rich butter oozing from my ears....  MMMM Cookies!
Not stock tubes, but hell, I don't even remember what they are anymore.  GASP!
headphonedreams
527 posts
 
I think you should start with better headphones, like the Beyerdynamics Amiron Home which are probably a lot better than dt880 and warmer than dt1990. I have the Amiron and love them.

For listening through speakers it is really hard to say when a pre will help and not. You might have to lend one and try.
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