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Will DAC always sound better going straight into a Power Amplifier?

Hi All,

I experimented today with plugging my Khadas Tone Board DAC straight into a Power Amp, and then using a vintage restored Yamaha solid state preamp in the chain...and the sound seemed to be clearer without the preamp.

Is this always the case, where a DAC will sound better directly connected to a power amp?

I see some expensive DAC offerings, like the Musetec 005 and the Holo Audio May, and was wondering that if i want to save up for one of them...if i have to save up for a preamp as well.

If it will cloud the sound, then i'll leave the preamp out of the mix.  Let me know your thoughts all!

I've read that some people have had experiences where the DAC sounds better through a preamp, so I'm not sure if there is a universal answer here or not.

fai_v

Showing 1 response by pesky_wabbit

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

Make sure you have it professionally reconditioned. Components like capacitors will need to be replaced, pots cleaned… of it isn’t likely to sound very good.

generally, a wholesale change of capacitors is not required. Film capacitors age very well and only require replacement if faulty. Some premium electrolytics may still be going strong after 30 years and their replacement by inferior substitutes may result in performance degradation. Some potentiometers may still be functioning without fault. The key is to ASSESS before you act.

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