2. amps-preamps
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Tube Amp for Coda 8 Part 2

Thank you to all for your suggestions in my recent thread. 

I’d like to t take this query one step further. I have a DAC that has pre-amp capabilities. It’s to my understanding that having a pre-amp (analogue) will sound better than digital attenuation. The DAC as a pre-amp sounds pretty darn good, so I am wondering, do I need such an elaborate pre-amp (as a volume control)          or should I just stick with the DAC and save some coin?

Thanks!

kds

Showing 2 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,077 posts
 

From my preamp to my CODA amp, I use low-cost Benchmark XLR (25 foot). The Benchmark HPA4 preamp definitely does not benefit from costly XLR. I think I tested the CODA with various XLR’s and went with the Benchmark XLR.

However, I do use expensive XLR from my DACs to the preamp.

yyzsantabarbara
5,077 posts
 

If you do not listen at very low volume, then the digital volume on the DAC should be good enough. The only DAC that had a volume control as good my best analogue preamp was the Lumin X1 DAC/Streamer with the Lindh volume control. That thing was almost perfect for volume but had some OCD gremlins that I am sure most would not have noticed or cared about.

Saying all that I always use a preamp, and all my DACs have no volume (a feature not a bug for me). I also listen at low volume on occasion, like tonight.

Another option is to get a Lumin U2 streamer (no DAC) and hook it up to your Bricasti DAC via AES, USB, etc. I am not a fan of Ethernet RJ45 streaming and the U2 will give you Fibre Optic streaming along with the Lindh volume control. You should be able to change the volume using the streamer if the Bricasti is set to fixed volume. I think I was able to also use my iPhone to adjust volume.

 

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