2. digital
  3. 190610-168979

Preamp or DAC

Hello all. My system consists of the following:

Coda 16 Amp, Coda 07x preamp, Holo May KTE Dac, Aurender N20, Legacy Audio Signature SE speakers and a pair of REL 812 subs. I am considering changing either the preamp or Dac. I would like to go with tubes. Would you think I would get more sq change in changing the preamp or Dac? I am thinking Dac but I wanted to hear your opinions. Considering ARC, new Don Sachs or Aric Audio in pres and Lampizator or other in DACs. So, would the preamp or DAC make a bigger difference? I will say I have a $12k to $15k budget.

Thanks

backdoor

Showing 3 responses by audphile1

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 

My recommendation would be to stay with the CODA preamp and upgrade the DAC. Your amplifier has 10k ohm input impedance which is pretty low. Tube preamps typically have high output impedance around 600ohm. Even though it meets the 1:10 ratio it is still quiet low as impedance fluctuates. It’s possible you will have a slight reduction in bass output. Trying a tube DAC into the 07 preamp will be no issues with the preamp’s 20k input impedance. 

Going preamp-less will present the same issue with a tube DAC direct into amp. 
Talk to CODA to confirm as I’m just speculating based on typical specs of tube preamps and DACs. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 

What are some of the shortcomings of the Coda 07 preamp?

I have the CSiB integrated in my system now and am just curious since the CSiB is essentially a combo of 07 preamp and 0.8 amp

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 

@backdoor if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Keep the coda pieces. 
I’d just get a great DAC if I were you. Look into MSB Discrete, Bricasti M21 (has R2R and Delta Sigma plus different filter options). 
With Aurender N20 the best interface will be AES/EBU which would allow you to leverage the N20’s superb clock. I hope that’s how you connect streamer and DAC now. 

More to discover