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Eversolo DMP A6 with or without preamp

I just bought an Eversolo DMP A6, and it sounded great by connecting directly to my MacIntosh MC302 amp. I am trying to figure out why it seems to sound better than going thru my Mac C2300 tube preamp which shouldn’t be too shabby. 

Are most of you using this DAC/Streamer by directly connecting to the amp?  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. 
 

 

eylai777

Showing 2 responses by oddiofyl

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,066 posts
 

My Dad has one connected digitally via USB to his Mac 8950 and it sounds great with the Mac DAC 2 card doing all the heavy lifting.  Yours is all analog so I am surprised to hear you say it sounds better with no preamp.  

Maybe time  for new tubes?   

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,066 posts
 

I first plugged the A6 to an Anthem mix 510 via analog and thought it sounded real good.  

Today's digital gear ain't too shabby.   I just picked up a Cyrus i7-XR  Integrated Amp and I love that little amp.  It has a built in DAC and coincidentally it has the same ESS chipset as the Eversolo.   I can't believe how good my TV, PC , and Vault 2i sound with that little guy.    That said I'm not surprised you like how it sounds.   

Some Mac preamps and integrateds have an input trim setting. Personally I would start with the Eversolo' s output set to fixed or maxed out.  I forget how it achieves max output , but you want a fixed out equivalent to approx 2 volts like any other source component RCA. 

If you have it XLR , I would do the same as it should be about 4 v when fixed.  

Then with that fixed I would adjust the input trim plus or minus if so equipped

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