DAC DIRECT IN TO AMPLIFIER OR TO PREAMPLIFIER

The synergy between my Gryphon Essence preamp and amp are too good to break up even with my MSB Premier DAC!  Once everything is warmed up the sound is amazing.  I love the idea of streamlining the signal path, but this is a case where less is NOT more.  If you have a cheap preamp with a sub-par design, I say lose it and go direct to your amp. 

On another note (or perhaps perspective?). I do know a fellow audiophile who has gone with a streamlined setup including the Pink Faun player, to an MSB Reference DAC to MSB mono-blocks and he’s VERY happy.  He also previously had a Gryphon preamp and Gryphon amp behind his DAC.  I think there is a synergy aspect to consider here.  If you can find a DAC with a quality pre built in, that’s designed to work with the same brands amps, you could have a perfect solution. 

I weigh the cost beyond the dac itself: space/shelf for it, power cord, IC, footers, all of which can easily cost an extra $1000+++

Knowing that from owning several separate dac/pres I was excited to finally buy a Audio Alchemy DDP 1- and 5 months later the optional outboard PS (a very big deal) 3+ years later, nothing could replace its sound/$$$ at 3Xs the MSRP $1700

Do a search for TAS review of it with their class D amps

I've tried both ways and a preamp always makes things better.

I guess it depends as to which dac you are using. Once I installed the Lumin X1 with its Leedh volume control the preamp was sold.

Way better sound quality, less cables, footers etc.

ozzy