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 2 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
4,553 posts
 

Only DAC direct to amp that was worth considering for me was the Lumin X1. It was almost as good as the volume  control on the Benchmark LA4. It has some gremlins at low volume, but still sounds good, and great in comparison to other DACs. The LA4 is perfect as a volume control.

My current 2 DACs do not do volume, a Schitt Yggi+ Less is More and the Benchmark DAC3B. I am going to get 1 more DAC and I do not think that has a volume, hopefully not.

 

yyzsantabarbara
4,553 posts
 

I am going to get the Dream DAC (not from OCD Guy). This is my last item to get. I will not use the DAC direct to amp. I will use it with the $2500 Benchmark LA4 preamp.

I can actually test the quality of the Dream direct to amp if it has RCA outputs. My CODA #16 amp has a nice toggle button on the front for RCA and XLR switching. After adjusting for the gain differences, I will be able compare with the LA4 preamp. Though I already know the answer.

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