Streamer, Dac,with Pre Amp

I haven’t had any problems with my A8 and I recently updated the software without any trouble. The latest update added support for Apple Music & Podcasts. I’m using an older CJ PV-12 for a preamp, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what the A8 has inside. Rose Hi-Fi is twice the price and I haven’t heard it. As far as software goes the A8 is very good. A8 is an excellent product and very versatile.

If you have a balanced input to the integrated amp use that, otherwise take the RCA output from A8 into anything, but phono on your integrated.

Also, if you have a USB CD player (I’m using an Apple drive) you can hook that up to your A8 and copy “rip” your CD collection to your A8. Use .flac when you’re ripping.

The only way to by pass the A8 pre-amp is to use one of the digital outputs. Use the USB or the IIS because they are higher quality.

If you want to use your t.v. with A8 or another DAC use the ARC connection from your t.v. to the DAC or A8.

If you use the analog out to your new integrate amp you’ll be using both pre-amps. That’s ok. You won’t have the sound of just your new integrated preamp. You’ll have two gain (volume) controls. That’s my current configuration and it’s fine. I’m going A8 RCA out to my Conrad-Johnson preamp because it’s single ended (RCA), not balanced which gives me a little tube sound with the CJ magic. If your new integrated amp doesn’t have a remote control, you can adjust the volume with the A8 remote. You can also adjust the gain between the two to suit your sonic preferences.