DAC plus Preamp or DAC-Preamp or DAC-Volume Control ?


I recently purchased a 2A3 amplifier. Preamplifier and Speakers have not been chosen.

This will be a ’learning / experiential’ system. My intentions and goals are that this ’JOURNEY’ to a new system be radically different than how I went about putting my current ’primary’ system together.

I will be leaving my front end (computer audio) system the same.

The ’secondary’ system will bifurcate post DAC at the preamp OR with a new DAC/Preamplifier combo component.

The purpose of this thread is to ask for your recommendations and suggestions for:

- Preamplifiers

OR

- DAC + Full Preamplifier // DAC + Volume Control Combo Components

to pair with Scott Sheaffer’s Found Music 2A3 monoblock amplifier. Scott advises that this amp is unfussy with respect to preamp pairings, solid state or tube, or digital volume controls.


Current system (general components): Small Green Computer Server > Sonore Signature Rendu SE > Denafrips Terminator DAC > T+A PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier > Tekton Design Double Impact SE Speakers.


Any additional thoughts and advice related to the topic are welcome.

Thank You!
david_ten
20k,eu preamp, that's definitely not a budget priced Freya. Enjoy.

Cheers George


Thank you all for your suggestions. Here are the ones that I am currently looking at based on your suggestions and other research:
  • McIntosh 2600
  • Vinnie Rossi L2
  • Mola Mola Makua
  • Bricasti M12
  • Lampizator Atlantic TRP with PAC preamp
I am also seriously looking at the Freya as a temporary solution, maybe to compare to my current DAC with analogue volume control (Resolution Audio Cantata) and get an idea which of both is better. Due to its price I would be able to swing some decent ICs and PC.

Thank you all again and I will keep you posted regarding my quest.

david_ten,  as an aside, I noticed you have the SGC and SONORE Sig. Rendu combo. If you haven't already, I strongly suggest you upgrade to the systemOptique version of Signature Rendu. The conversion from Ethernet to optical connection to the Rendu is striking. I wrote up an article about it at Dagogo.com. I have been very happy longer term with the upgrade. It's the first optical connection that I have used and enthusiastically endorse.