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Meitner Dac 6 vs. Theta CCll Extreme Dacs

I have a Meitner Dac 6 and am using a Theta CBll with extreme Dacs for my pre-amp in a 2 channel-HT set-up. I am running the Dac 6 thru the Theta in what Theta calls their analog direct mode. In this mode the Theta is being used for volume control only. Here is the problem. The Meitner dac 6 should smoke the extreme dacs in the Theta. When I switch imputs back and forth between the Meitner Dacs and the Theta dacs, its impossible to tell which dacs sounds better. My question is why doesn't the Dac 6 out perform the extreme dacs in the Theta? What am I missing. I am thinking of adding a Rowland Synergy lli pre with a home theatre pass thru into the system. Any help would be appreciated.
rivercitylad

Showing 2 responses by mikelavigne

mikelavigne
2,206 posts
 
not having heard the Theta, it is difficult to question your results......but there are a few possibilities.

1. are you using the DAC6 with a modified Philips SACD 1000 to take full advantage of the performance of the DAC6? this makes a dramatic difference.

2. all HT pre/processors i have listened to will "dumb-down" the ultra-refinement of the DAC6......and who knows exactly the circut differences between the 'pass-thru' and the Theta's internal DAC's. my Lexicon MC-12 is really congested with it's 'pass-thru' compared to my previous Proceed AVP.......and the AVP isn't anywhere close to my 2-channel reference Placette passive. so unless you a/b your Theta with a high quality 2-channel pre you won't know it's contribution to the result.

3.also, as Mike mentions, the rest of your system may either restrict the benefit of what the DAC6 does.....or.....the Theta DAC's might simply synergise better with your system.

4. what do you mean by 'outperform'?

5. the Theta may just be 'that good'.

in my experience, the emmlabs DAC6/ modified Philips SACD 1000 is easily the best digital i have ever heard.....if the Theta DAC's within a HT processor are in that league i would be surprised.....but it's possible.
mikelavigne
2,206 posts
 
i assume you are in Portland (your moniker).....if so, contact Jonathan Tinn (as a Meitner owner, i would assume you know him). he can loan you a few different choices.....personally, in my system, the Placette RVC passive balanced.....has bettered all comers (to some degree, at any price) and is pretty reasonable.

the Placette is a particularly good tool to have around since it can be easily connected to any source and allow you to see what is really happening. there are active preamps that will do certain things better in some systems......and you may prefer them....but nothing will get out of the way as well as a single resistor in the signal path (the antithesis of a HT processor). if i did deciede to go with an active preamp i'd keep my Placette as a reference.
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