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Wyred4Sound Dac-2 vs Preamp and separate DAC

I’m about to upgrade to either the Wyred4Sound DAC-2 to use as a Preamp/Dac or possibly considering a used Classe Audio CP-60 and Wyred4sound DAC-1. If I’m only going to use a CD transport and USB to play lossless files is there any advantage to having the separate Preamp/DAC setup. I would personally think the Dac-2 would be the cleaner path but I’m a little worried about the digital volume control. Any opinions welcome. Preamp also doesn’t have to be Classe but some type of balanced pre along those lines.
r_garland

Showing 1 response by cymbop

cymbop
315 posts
 
Just to add a perspective, I am really happy with my DAC-2 running direct to a tube integrated that has a resistor-ladder attenuator for volume control, though I have not compared it with a preamp in the chain.

Regarding a sweet-spot on the DAC-2, to my ears it comes alive a bit when it's north of 50 and can sound a little un-relaxed once past 60 or 62. I often leave it at 58 and control volume from the integrated.

Steve, I'm still waiting for you to produce a converter that takes a coax SPDIF from my Squeezebox and sends out I2S to the Wyred. ;-)
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