Decco from Preachtree audio

I broke down and bought the Decco last week. Sight unseen and unheard. Tons of options and versatility here.

I've been thinking of going to an all hard drive front end for a long time now. It looks like this is the time, considering the $800 price-tag, I thought it was worth the risk. I'm using it as a usb dac/pre. Right out of the box, it sounded pretty good. Much improved texture in vocals, front to back sound staging, and life like reproduction of cymbals. On the other hand, It lacked detail and seemed a little flat at first. I've been using a passive pre for a long time.

Well, its been burning in for 5 days straight (they recommend 200 hours burn in time) and its really starting to open up. My speakers have completely disappeared. Imaging and separation have improved drastically. I'm not exaggerating when I say this . . . A couple of times (Dark Side of the Moon, Dire Straits), half way through a recording, I thought I had to get up and flip over the record like the old days. I've listened to those albums so many times, I guess the sound quality brought back some old memories. LOL. It reminds me so much of my old (way back) vinyl set up.

So far, I feel like its a steal at this price. I haven't even used the amp section yet, which I've been told, is its strength. I will try it later, I'm sure.
I can't wait to see how it improves as it is fully burned in.

Oh yeah, the build quality is heavy and solid. Its pretty cool looking, too. Packaging is first class.

I will answer my own question. Yes, it does belong in a high end system. Mine at least.

DJ,
You might consider bypassing your pre altogether. I am very impressed with this decco as a pre-amp. I'm currently using it as a computer to usb dac/pre feeding my Audioprism Debut 2 tube amp. It also has toslink AND coax digital inputs as well as two auxiliary inputs. Its been burning in for 14 days now, and it sounds really good. I can't believe its digital. It really sounds like vinyl to me. I'm almost afraid to hook up the amp section. I fear that it might be good enough to render my Audioprism (I love this amp!) unnecessary. LOL.

I didn't realize this before I bought it, but it has a built in usb to I2S converter that is getting great write ups right now.

All of this for $800!

You really can't go wrong with this piece. They are going to sell A LOT of these.

Well, guys. I just finished hooking up the amp section. I'm going Macbook (itunes Lossless) to USB to Decco (with PS Audio power chord) to bi wired Speltz anti-cables to my Chario Academy 2's (86 db). (Look ma, no interconnects!)

Instant impressions . . . It seems to have PLENTY of power, lots of bass, good detail. Its a different sound then my Audioprism EL 34 amp. Can't put my finger on it yet. I'll give it a few more days and report my impressions.

As of right now, I am thoroughly impressed.

Hey DJ, Sorry it took me so long to post regarding the amp section. I don't have any recent first hand experience with NAD, Jolida, Creek, Rotel, or Rega.

They all have excellent reputations, though.

So here goes. First, I have to make a correction on my system. My Chario Acedemy 2's are actually 83 to 84 db, not 86. A pretty difficult load to drive.
So, that said, comparing this little over achieving Decco to my $3k Audioprism high current tube amp is not really fair.

At first listen, its very articulate, solid imaging, reasonable power, and a little on the bright side compared with the tube amp.

As I listened for some time, some of its weaknesses were exposed. It just doesn't have the tone of tubes (I am an admittedly biased tube lover as you can tell) or the front to back imagery and sound stage. It also runs out of gas when when the going gets rough. Again, its not a fair match up to put this little guy with an 83 db speaker load. Matched with a more efficient speaker, it should yield much better results.

So I hooked my Audioprism back into the system for good.

I am still loving the decco as a dac/pre! Well worth the $800 price tag alone. I look at it as a bonus that it has an amp if I ever need to service my other amp.

Bottom line, this is a great foundation for an audiophile on a budget.
Hook up your computer and/or dvd player, get some decent speaker cable to your reasonably efficient speakers, and you've got a sweet little system that just about anyone would thoroughly enjoy.

Enjoy the music and don't get too caught up in this crazy disease/hobby! lol.