The Streamer-Dac-Preamp Chain

Reporting back in case it’s helpful to others. On the streamer front: I used a Netgear unmanaged switch (GS108X) to start a fiber moat (I used Finisar FTLF8519P3BNL transceivers), ended it with a Sonore Optical Module and then ran a small ethernet patch to an Auralic Vega G2.1, then on to the Moon 761 power amp. It sounds beautiful. I wouldn’t say that it is a dramatic improvement on the setup I had already (Vega without the fiber moat) but it is a perceptible change in terms of clarity. I am not sure that I can push any more gains at the margin, but I am very pleased so far. Still debating whether to add a separate preamp, but I’m lazy and like the Roon volume control, which I will then lose.

PS. I did try going "full fiber" with an Optical Rendu as per @yyzsantabarbara's helpful suggestions, but that didn't do anything for me, most likely because the Vega's USB input isn't that great.

@debrajray Interesting that you could not hear any improvement with the fibre. In my tests with direct Ethernet into a DAC via RJ45 or a USB into the DAC from a computer were not performing at the same level as fibre. There was less clarity on top and other grunge. The computer use case was the worst if you were using a noisy computer like I have in my current setup (but with fibre).

I also use my RAAL SR1a headphones and those are like a surgical device with respect to letting you hear everything. A dirty source was dirty sound out on those phones.

I sold an excellent preamp last week, the Holo Audio Serene and now have only 2 preamps left. The Benchmark HPA4 (same as the LA4) and the Schitt Mjolnir v3. The Schitt is good and the HPA4 is incredible.

I put the HPA4 where the Serene used to be (in my best system) and I feel like I got a cleaner sound. Just love this preamp.

@yyzsantabarbara I am using fiber --- but up to an Optical Module and then heading back via very short ethernet into the (Vega) streamer, and it sounds distinctly better. What I am not doing is using an oRendu and bypassing the Vega streamer. But the lack of difference here can't be pinned down to a single factor, as I don't think the USB input on the Vega is that good.

But please don't sell me on the Benchmark LA4 :-), even though my original post does mention it. I do not want to control volume with an infrared remote and I don't think there is an alternative. (Short of digitally cutting back from the streamer.) Right?

@debrajray The new Schitt Kara preamp with the Forkbeard can control the volume on the preamp using an iPhone. This is not the digital volume of ROON but analog volume of the preamp. ROON does not need to be involved.

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My Mjolnir v3 preamp does not support this. My Schitt Wotan amp has Forkbeard integration, and it is very useful for me. The amp does not have volume control but even then, I use the remote-control feature via my iPhone all the time.

I owned a KRELL Duo 300i integrated amp and it was ROON READY with the ability to change the volume via the ROON client. The volume on the integrated amp actually changed. This was great.

I find analog volume much better than digital volume. The Lumin X1 DAC with the digital Leedh implementation was the closest to the level of the LA4. It suffered a bit at low volume, though it was an issue of linear progression of the loudness and not the sound quality as with most digital volume.

Hi @yyzsantabarbara, because the Vega G2 series has an analog preamp stage, Roon volume control happens on the analog side and doesn't reduce digital bit-depth. In fact that's the main reason I am unwilling to bypass the preamp stage of the Vega or give the Vega up entirely and replace the entire chain --- which takes me back to my original post. I'll look into your suggestion; thanks.