Atma-Sphere M60 Matching DAC and Preamp


Hey there,

I have an Atma-Sphere M60 and noticed the input voltage is 3V, making me worry about the preamp and DAC matching with the amp. I'm confused because sometimes I see preamp and DAC outputs listed in dB of gain and other times I see voltage or references to current regulation.)

Ultimately, I'd like a well matched system and am thinking about two different combinations of pre and DAC:

If I can use the Denafrips Ares II, the DAC would eat into my $3k budget and likely would be looking at a tube rolled Schiit Saga+ with a nice replacement for the JJ tube. The Denafrips Ares II has 4V of output. The Saga + suggests it will output up to 10V with 0dB. 

Alternatively, I'm looking at the Tortuga Audio LDR3000x.V3 (potentially with a gain stage configuration) and the Schiit Bifrost 2 with XLR configuration for a 4V output max).

A phono preamp can be considered separately and later, just in case you're wondering. This will mostly be for streaming.

Thoughts and help are greatly appreciated! Again, budget is $3k. 

128x128dunham_john

I also own M-60s, and I was fortunate enough to score a deal on Ralph's MP-3 which, unsurprisingly, is the best of all the preamps I've tried. Prior to this my favorite was the LTA MZ2, which bested a Modwright LS-100, a Don Sachs Model 2, and a Decware CSP-3, although they were all very good. I also own a Bifrost (not the 2) and I've been very pleased with it, but I'm 90% vinyl so it doesn't get a lot of use. 

If you end up with a single ended input to the M-60s, make sure you have the jumpers for the XLR pins 1 and 3. That made an audible difference with some of the preamps.

Have you heard a Topping D90SE? If not, you might consider it. When you get a phono preamp, you'll have to consider a line stage at that point. But if you are only using digital, any balanced DAC will have enough output.