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The Streamer-Dac-Preamp Chain

I'm building a second system, and I'd love your thoughts. My starting point is Roon / digital library / Qobuz.  My ending point is a Moon 761 power amplifier which then goes on to speakers. I need to insert a streamer, a DAC, and a preamp between the starting point and the ending point. Now, I know I can get a Moon 791 for around 15K, which looks and sounds lovely with the Moon 761.

Question: can you suggest a streamer, a DAC, and a preamp (for the same approx total) that spans this particular chain (e.g., no phono needed) and does better than the Moon 791?

[I do have an Auralic Vega G2.1 left over from my first system which connects all the dots above. But I don't like its preamp stage --- I've already replaced the volume control module. And the Moon 791 easily outperforms it. However, if you want to incorporate its DAC into your suggestions, I am happy to listen...]

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That ends my question, but you might be interested in hearing what ChatGPT had to say. Pretty confident character, our Chat :-)

This is a great problem. Here’s a stack that should significantly outperform the Moon 791 in terms of DAC resolution, preamp transparency, and streamer flexibility:

1. Streamer: Auralic Aries G2.2 (~$5,500)

• Tesla G3 processor is far superior to the Moon 791’s built-in MiND 2 module.

• Femto clocks + isolated dual processors mean exceptionally low jitter.

• USB, AES/EBU, and I²S outputs (versatile for DAC pairing).

• Dedicated power supply for streaming means cleaner signal delivery.

2. DAC: Holo Audio May KTE (~$5,500)

• R2R discrete ladder DAC (no delta-sigma conversion, ultra-natural sound). 

• Fully balanced dual-mono design.

• Separate power supplies for analog/digital stages.

• One of the most analog-like DACs available. Unlike ESS-based DACs (like in Moon 791), the Holo May avoids digital glare.

3. Preamp: Benchmark LA4 (~$3,000)

• Absolutely neutral, ultra-transparent preamp.  The Moon 791 preamp section is good but not at LA4’s level.

• No capacitors in the signal path, no coloration.

• Near-zero distortion and noise floor.

 

 

 

debrajray
debrajray OP
14 posts
 

@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?

yyzsantabarbara
4,987 posts
 

@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.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

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.

 

debrajray OP
14 posts
 

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.

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