audioengr
Responses from audioengr
| Preamps built Into DACs Mapman - Look, I have used a few digital volume controls, including the one in the DEQX, iTunes and Amarra. By far, Amarra is the best sounding volume software so far, and it starts to affect the SQ at more than -9dB. I can hear this because I hav... | |
| PC audio with USB DAC Some other thoughts:1) USB cable is important, but never buy a digital cable of ANY type less than 1.5m in length.2) Sonos is a great product functionally, but the audio quality is poor. Needs reclocking, which can be added at more expense. Good 1... | |
| PC audio with USB DAC Every USB interface and USB DAC is different. Different performance, different drivers etc..It is important to understand the type of USB interface and the optimum playback software and computer hardware to use with it.Here are some tips:http://ww... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs "However, my ears are telling me otherwise now, and the fact that a number of >$20 DACs use them suggest they can't be all that bad."Well even the best S/W DSP volume controls seem to cause audible artifacts at more than about -9dB of volume re... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs "Steve, DCS latest gear has an all digital VC. Why would they have moved to all digital if they had a better mousetrap before?"I believe it was probably abandoned because it is very difficult to implement. It puts another layer of complexity and l... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs Mapman - there are only two DACs that I know of that use the reference voltage to control volume (which actually connects the DAC line-out directly to the amps):Empirical Audio Overdrive SEI believe the other is a dCS DAC that is out of production... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs "It makes a lot of sense to bundle preamp and dac these days much like pre-amp and phono pre-amp have been bundled into some pre-amps for years. The fact is digital is the norm now, not phono. So it is a natural thing to do. May not be the best/ri... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs "Even if you choose to go "no preamp"... there is still a preamp involved!! It's just a lower quality preamp, tagged onto the digital circuitry, sharing the same power supply as the digital section. No thanks!"This is where you are dead wrong. You... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs "So far in my listening experiences premium quality tube preamps are an asset and clearly improve the sound quality."I agree. For MOST systems, the tube pre is an improvement. However for well-designed DACs with volume controls, even these will be... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs All good tube active preamps probably do improve the behavior of the amps, particularly dynamics, because they have sufficient drive compared to resistive passive linestages or op-amp DAC outputs.However, and this is a big however, removing them f... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs "Wonder why no one has build this"Empirical Audio and Weiss both have it, at least variations.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Preamps built Into DACs "The reason remains somewhat unclear but to the ones I spoke with it was the challenge of the circuit. I somehow doubt that is why, I think it more an economical one and we need a frank discussion of that."I can speak to why I did it in my DAC. It... | |
| Clock synchronization issue? Lloyd - yes, computer audio only. Better than any CD transport.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Preamps built Into DACs I" can't help but wonder what my savings would be if there were no preamp attached to those units."It's not about saving money. Its about removing a serious number of veils. Nothing quite like it.I used a highly modified Levinson pre for years. Mo... | |
| Preamps built Into DACs Mitch - Beware replacing a good active pre with a volume control in a DAC. Most of them are substandard and will be a step down.On the other hand, a few are excellent and will probably beat your active pre. Depends on the technology and implementa... |