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TotalDAC D1 Driver-anyone using one yet?

I'm reading that TotalDAC has a product called the D1 Driver that can sit between the DAC and preamp, or between the DAC (with volume control) and the amp directly. It acts like the active part of the preamp. This D1 driver component does not have a volume control, but is said to enhance the SQ. It's said to address the "does the DAC sound better with or without a preamp" question. I have reviewed the TotalDAC website and read one of the professional reviews, but it seems like the translation to English might be a bit off.  Lots of exciting prose, but I am still looking for more information. Has anyone heard an implementation of the D1 driver?
128x128wokeuptobose

Showing 4 responses by wokeuptobose

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wokeuptobose OP
118 posts
 
Thanks! Now why doesn't the website say something more useful and concise like that! So, I'm digital only and have found that my streamers sound better with a preamp so that was why I was going down this path. Plus dCS doesn't seem advise using the Bartok as a volume control.  I'm recently enamored with Townsend products so  I was thinking of trying the Townsend Allegri Reference passive in place of my ARC REF 10. Can you guess how that trade would work out? I have no experience with passive preamps. I'm driving Parasound JC1+ amps which I'm told will work with a passive. 
wokeuptobose's avatar
wokeuptobose OP
118 posts
 
your comment is above my head, but may answer why there is only an RCA in to the TotalDAC Driver. I think is has both RCA and "balanced" out, but only RCA in.
wokeuptobose's avatar
wokeuptobose OP
118 posts
 
Sorry, one other thought. I tried to slip one by my wife who is a musician and has a better ear than I. I went dCS Bartok direct to the JC1+s and didn't tell her I did anything, but asked her how the system sounded. She said..."it sounds flat like a car radio". She pulls no punches. When I worked at listening to why I liked the sound, I realized that I fell for the analytical/detailed sound at the expense of an alive sound. I am prone to this mistake.
wokeuptobose's avatar
wokeuptobose OP
118 posts
 
No, but I have a Townsend Allegri passive coming on Tuesday to shoot it out with my ARC REF10. I have too many changes to be as thoughtful as I should be, but I also have a used Vivaldi stack coming which can also go direct. That said the Allegri is supposed to be great in that combo. Since I am Digital only the REF10 while totally cool isn't really necessary. I'll let you know what the Allegri ref does with my Bartok streamer.
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