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Potential DAQuestion - Tube preamps and Buffers

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I'm looking to smooth out the sound a bit, and have a potentially DAQ (Dumb a$$ question):

I run a CDP DAC and transport (Resolution Opus 21) into a tubed pre-amp (Audio Horizons TP2.0), then from there out to a digital Class D switching amp (Spectron MII Hybrid.) When I put the tube pre-amp into the system, it really helped to mellow out and improve the sound, as compared to a solid-state pre-amp I had tried and tested A/B.

So far, so good... I've been enjoying, but it can still be a bit brash. The Magnapan speakers only call out the brash detail.

Would a Tube Buffer help further, or is it a redundancy in the system? Do I need to consider the tech specs of each piece to determine that, e.g., output impedance*? Would it be a total waste of time and money?

Thanks,
Rob

* Just because I can spell 'output impedance' should not suggest that I know much about specs. :)

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rhanson739

Showing 2 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Async USB interfaces and DACs vary all over the map. Some are much better than any S/PDIF input and others are not as good. Depends on the design and parts choices.

The opportunity is there to make it a LOT better than other DAC interfaces because the master clock is in this interface.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
If you want to keep it within a budget of say $3K, then there are some great options, including:

Off-Ramp 5 driving I2S cable to Wired 4 Sound DAC2. This is a world-class sound rivalling $15-20K DACs.

Off-Ramp 5 driving S/PDIF to Metrum Octave DAC is almost as good.

The problem is getting a great DAC that ALSO has a great USB interface.

The PWD can be excellent, but needs the bridge IMO. This can be problematic too. I have customers that have abandoned the bridge to use Synchro-Mesh or Off-Ramp 5 to drive it.

USB is no cake-walk either. Dont expect to crush your CD transport with a PC and iTunes. It takes more than this. Here are my recommendations:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/recommended-systems

If you choose the right software and hardware pieces, the result can even beat the best vinyl, not just your CD transport. The important take-away from this is that the master clock, which is in the USB interface or network interface is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing in the digital audio system. This is why it sometimes makes sense to drive a USB DAC using S/PDIF and an outboard USB converter.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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