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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
mitch2
3,694 posts
 
@georgehifi - I believe you are correct. The information on the totaldac website says:
-one-box stereo version: RCA inputs, RCA outputs + unbalanced XLR outputs
-two-box monobloc version: RCA inputs + XLR inputs, RCA outputs + balanced XLR outputs
The XLR outputs on the stereo version appear to be "convenience" outputs for those using XLR cables but not really carrying two symmetrically balanced/inverted signals.  Sounds like a single-ended piece that must be doubled up (mono version) if you want a true balanced circuit.

Based of the huge input impedance and low output impedance, the d1-driver should work very well as a buffer.  You can get it as a unity (0dB) gain version or with 10dB gain.  I would really like to hear the unity gain version and compare the sound of it with my SMc unit.
From the website:
-very easy input impedance: 1MegaOhm
-natural low output impedance plus added 40ohm pure resitor for a perfect interconnect impedance matching
-can drive anything above 100ohm without distorsion
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
The XLR outputs on the stereo version appear to be "convenience" outputs for those using XLR cables but not really carrying two symmetrically balanced/inverted signals.
Which to me says the rca outputs should sound just a bit better than the xlr.
Because the signal doesn’t then have to go through a "rca to xlr conversion circuit" be it opamp or discrete based, most use opamps for this kind of pseudo xlr output.

Cheers George
prebs
19 posts
 
Im  also running a pair of new JC1+. I’ve tried to link my LUMIN T2 directly into these witch gave me a quite different sound to my JC2 pre. Dead quiet but I do prefer the sound of the JC2. LUMIN does have the Leedh volume control but after a weekend with try I went back to my JC2.
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.
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.
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