2. amps-preamps
  3. 186593-9734

DAC DIRECT IN TO AMPLIFIER OR TO PREAMPLIFIER

For the longest time, I believed that the best preamplifier is no preamplifier.  Eliminating a component from the audio chain would yield less distortion & greater purity.

Recently, I have had reason to re-think my logic on the matter - and I am (I think) changing my mind.  Better said, assuming that the preamplifier in the component you are using (in my case, a DAC) can produce 95% or greater quality sound compared to the preamplifier component, then no preamplifier is the best option.  The 5% represents the (estimated) loss of fidelity in adding another set of interconnects.

That said, most DACs do not have an outstanding preamplifier built in.  I think most have average passive attenuators, and the better DACs have active preamplifiers that are very good - but not as good as a quality preamplifier.

What are your thoughts?

 

 

128x128paul_lindemann
unsound
7,329 posts
 

^Available bits of DAC to control volume without diminishing resolution, output voltage of the DAC to input sensitivity of the amp.

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
972 posts
 

I have flopped back and forth and always got back to pre in chain. 

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
445 posts
 

@lanx0003 

but I really wish someone could explain exactly which elements, components or interactions in the gears contribute to better synergy.  Impedance matching is just a necessary condition but not a sufficient condition.

I believe the answer, at least when it comes to a tube pre, is harmonics, evens vs. odds, and that nasty word, distortion. 

Perhaps along the same lines that many prefer the vocals of Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, or Joe Cocker over someone with perfect pitch and tone, like Celine Dion, who sounds too perfect and therefore unexciting and boring? 

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