DACs With Killer Built-In Preamps

I have been eyeing two :

- Calyx Femto
- M2Tech Vaughan

For those with more limited budgets, or who feel that spending big bux does not necessarily give you the best value for your dollar, the Emotiva XDA-2 DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp might be a great way to go. And at only $399 with a 5-year, transferable warranty and a 30-day in-home trial, this could be just the ticket.

Emo also has a very highly-regarded, fully-balanced, differential reference preamp available for $899. Check out the XSP-1 for more details...

www.emotiva.com

-RW-

There is no volume control technology that beats adjusting the D/A reference voltage to adjust the DAC output. This adds no parts to the signal path, adjusts no gain stage and puts no resistor or gain stage in the signal path. It actually increases S/N ratio and lowers THD as the volume is lowered unlike all other volume technologies. It is in another class from other volume control technologies, but can only be accomplished with digital in a DAC. This is like using no preamp at all.

This is EXACTLY like connecting the line-out on a typical DAC directly to the amps. No difference, except that the volume does not blow-up the speakers.

See:
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/overdrive-dac

Also, a version of the BIDAT evidently used this technology although I have never heard it.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Not just a DAC, but the Resolution Audio Cantata Music Center mught be of interest:

http://resolutionaudio.com/cantata.html

The PS audio PWD MK2 sounds very nice. It's a great dac and I have been using it as a pre amp with various tube amps with success. Underwood Audio has great prices. Very pleased with mine.