2. digital
  3. 180625-106038

DACs that do well without a preamp

I am looking for a DAC to feed my DNA-1 gold power amp directly, streaming Qobuz or Tidal from a Bluesound Vault. Budget is $1-2K; would consider used, if worthwhile. Current contenders are Benchmark 3 HGC, Brooklyn DAC+, Gustard x26 pro, Holo Spring 3, Musetec 004 and Pontus ii. Looking for clean, detailed, uncolored sound that "lifts the veil". What are the qualities I should look for to drive an amp well, without a pre?
128x128cheeg
Ag insider logo xs@2x
bhvf
209 posts
 

Try a Teac NT-505x. Safe & Sound sells it with a return policy. I have the older version with an AKM DAC chip and the volume control works great with the few amps(tube and solid state) I’ve tried. The new version uses a Sabre chip and is more to the sound you’re looking for. Mine is a little less detailed. 

mitch2
3,962 posts
 

Sonnet Morpheus at around $2K used or Metrum Jade at even less should both sound pretty good.

VC is implemented by changing the reference voltage so no bits lost.

pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,208 posts
 

I have excellent results using a Weiss 202 DAC with volume control direct to my tube amp.  

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,582 posts
 

PS Audio DirectStream works well. I go direct in my secondary system and through a preamp in the main sys.

invalid
1,180 posts
 

@soix  a DAC that uses transistors, or tubes for the output stage is not passive, it may not have gain like a preamp, but it's still has an active device for the output.

 

 

More to discover