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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
meiwan
399 posts
 
My understanding is that passive pre-amps (such in the W4S) are not as good as a dedicated active pre-amp. Seems to lose some air and detail.

Suggest you go for the DAC 1 and a proper pre-amp.
ranperry
13 posts
 
I got the DAC2 and had the Classe CP-65 pre. To make a long story short, I sold the Classe and I am going directly to the amps (bel canto ref 1000). If you do not need analog inputs and the only source is a PC / Transport, you can sure get rid of the preamp.
face
516 posts
 
If you're going to use the USB input, grab a DAC-2.

The DAC-2 does have a very nice preamp section, but I prefer the sound of their STP-SE as a pre.
r_garland OP
1 posts
 
Meiwan Hi, I don’t believe the W4S is a passive preamp. The volume control is just in the digital domain. It’s 32-bit so I’m not sure if it’s even possible for audio quality loss at low volumes. Ranperry, Sense you have done this, did you notice any loss of low volume detail or dynamics. Or did just the opposite happen and open a clearer window into the sound at any volume.

Thanks

Rob
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