No love for the Cambridge Audio 851N? It can be run in preamp mode, has balanced outs, etc.
Pre amp with Dac
Is there a Pre with a dac included out there in the $2500 used that does a good job. I stream Tidal from my computer; no phono needed. I use Bel Canto 600ref mono's for amps. Thanks Gary
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- 19 posts total
I use the 851N as a streamer from ripped files, Spotify, and mostly as DAC for my Marantz 8003 CD player. Initially I used it as a preamp and noticed an improvement when I added a Nordost Vishnu Peter cord. When I first got it I had a Nuforce preamp—the851N sounded the same or better without the preamp, so I got rid of it. I used Heimdall II XLR ICs to connect to Bel Canto ref500 monoblocks. Dali Mentor 6 speakers. I’m going to add video so I recently acquired a Marant 8801 prepro, and tried it out as a preamp this week. To my surprise, there was a clear improvement in soundstaging, bass and details. Not crazy better but clearly better. I’m a big fan of the 851n still, but will keep the Marantz as pre. |
I can mention two pre/DACs that both have excellent volume controls. NuPrime DAC10H http://www.nuprimeaudio.com/product/dac-10/ PS Audio Gain Cell DAC http://www.psaudio.com/products/stellar-gain-cell-dac/ |
- 19 posts total