2. amps-preamps
  3. 183367-181164

Moving on from Parasound P5 Dac or Preamp

I have a parasound P5 driving my new Nad 298, which replaced a hypex nc400 amp that died.

this drives a pair of aperion vs grande towers and an SVS sub.

I chose the P5 as it had a good home theatre bypass a knob to adjust the sub output and a dac / phono stage.

lately I’m starting to think I want a better Dac.

currently it’s fed by a node 2i.

Any suggestions for preamp or Dacs?

I was looking at a benchmark la4 preamp and rme dac 

Suggestions welcome.

looking to spend no more than 5k all in.

Also on a separate note I have a hegel bugle2 phonostage which is really great but I can’t seem to get rid of rf Humm despite being well grounded, is this common?

 

 

 

 

 

lummock
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
919 posts
 

For separate DACS Have a look at:

Bryston BDA 3

Benchmark Dac 3 over on tmraudio

wyred4sound v2v

 

james633
958 posts
 

The benchmark is fine. It is more of a clean clear sound than expansive soundstage type of DAC. It has noticeably strong bass impact. I would say this is entry level highend… they have a 30 day trial so no risk.

I like bench mark better than Wyred4sound. I have owned both. The bench mark is as good in all aspects and better at others. The volume on it really sucks though in use. Hard to control with a remote (motorized) and I think their pre amp would be needed just for that along.

mu favorite I have heard is the chord Hugo TT. Really great unit but $6k. Maybe used. I feel that it betters the benchmark in all aspects but not by a huge margin but better to my ear. Sounds bigger and less “digital” sheen in the highs.

lummock OP
4 posts
 

Thanks for the comments,

an outboard dac was where I started this journey.

im a fan on benchmark, but will look into

Wyred4sound , chord Hugo seems a pretty big step for my system I think.

I was looking at the RME, dac has anyone listened against the benchmark?

I have balanced ins on the parasound so I intend to find something with xlr outputs.

I read benchmarks comments on the subject and it sounds like there is something to it.

 

 

 

lummock OP
4 posts
 

Thanks for the comments,

an outboard dac was where I started this journey.

im a fan on benchmark, but will look into

Wyred4sound , chord Hugo seems a pretty big step for my system I think.

I was looking at the RME, dac has anyone listened against the benchmark?

I have balanced ins on the parasound so I intend to find something with xlr outputs.

I read benchmarks comments on the subject and it sounds like there is something to it.

 

 

 

tweak1
3,583 posts
 

Over a decade ago I had the P5. It is NOT a balanced design, although as I recall, the XLRs are separate from the main boards. I eventually got the P6, a significant upgrade, but that went down the road too. For the last 4+ years my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 pre/dac has served me very well. Ive made wholesale changes to the rest of my system, the DDP-1 passes them all through. Great value if you can find one; the outboard PS is a must

hth

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