2. amps-preamps
  3. 186593-9734

DAC DIRECT IN TO AMPLIFIER OR TO PREAMPLIFIER

For the longest time, I believed that the best preamplifier is no preamplifier.  Eliminating a component from the audio chain would yield less distortion & greater purity.

Recently, I have had reason to re-think my logic on the matter - and I am (I think) changing my mind.  Better said, assuming that the preamplifier in the component you are using (in my case, a DAC) can produce 95% or greater quality sound compared to the preamplifier component, then no preamplifier is the best option.  The 5% represents the (estimated) loss of fidelity in adding another set of interconnects.

That said, most DACs do not have an outstanding preamplifier built in.  I think most have average passive attenuators, and the better DACs have active preamplifiers that are very good - but not as good as a quality preamplifier.

What are your thoughts?

 

 

128x128paul_lindemann

Showing 1 response by audioman58

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audioman58
3,896 posts
 

There are exceptions ,such as like theT+a 200 dac great in every respect 

has a separateAnalog resistive ladder preamp section,

Bricasti too has a dedicated preamp section in theirs ,

thatbeung said a real good $5k and up dedicated preamp such as the Excellent 

Linear Tube Audio preamp  where you have better isolation and bigger power supplies better dynamics and imaging. , that being said Accuphase has a superb patented preamp section in their upper  integrated amplifiers as does Luxman and top tier Gryphon.

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