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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.

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hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,824 posts
 

My MHDT Orchid tube DAC sounded way worse going straight into my tube amps. The Preamp does a lot of good for the sound.

danager's avatar
danager
882 posts
 

I think it's about the output voltage of the DAC and the input voltage of the amp.  I plug my Orchid DAC directly into the Decware amp.  I control the volume through software and it sounds good to me.  The Decware amp has its own volume control so I keep trying to find the sweet spot though.   the biggest issue for me is that the output of the flac files vary so much I can't just find a volume level and leave it for multiple albums.

The preamp can either attenuate or boost the DAC signal if its powered or just attenuate it if it's passive.

Using a preamp also would add tone controls if you use them.

 

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.

tempest714's avatar
tempest714
29 posts
 

I removed my Parasound Halo 5 from the system and preferred it gone. I'm running a SMSL SU-9 direct into a Van Alstine Vision Set 120 Power Amplifier.

The only thing I'm wondering about it bit stripping as I only run my volume from the DAC at around 50%. 

Anybody here have any thoughts about that? I will buy a good preamp if it means lifting my system to another level. I just found the Parasound to be too dark/muddy compared to going direct from the DAC to the amp.

willgolf
933 posts
 

I have a Lampizator Pacific that I tried three months ago to go direct to my 300B mono amps.  I was shocked at how good it sounded.  As a result, I sold my $20k tube preamp.  I am 100% digital so that made my decision easy.  So, I guess I am in the minority but for me the DAC direct was better.  

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