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Which DAC - Streamer or Preamp?

I’m finally indulging my audio-curious nature and beginning to build a listening room along with a higher-end two-channel system. I managed to snag a McIntosh C-47 preamp and an MC-312 amp, both used for decent prices. For now, I’ll be listening through a pair of Klipsch Heresy (1980) back by a pair of REL T/7x in a 16x24 basement space (sadly, with a low ceiling). I also just bought an Eversolo DMP-A6. So my question is, should I run balanced lines from the Eversolo, or should I run the digital feed to the C-47 for processing? I know that the right answer is "try both and go with with you like." But I am also curious what ’should’ be better on paper, or what some of you with much more experience than I have would say. Thanks for your thoughts!

128x128mattsca
soix
9,584 posts
 

@glennewdick  Agreed the DA2 is a big improvement over the DA1 module, but just because it’s better doesn’t mean its sound characteristics match the sonic preferences of the OP, which brings me back to finding an external DAC that does exhibit the sound characteristics the OP is looking for rather than being committed to whatever the sound is on the DA2 that may or may not be optimal for the OP.  Again, DACs are very personal and the odds the DA2 just magically happens to be an optimal match for the OP versus other options is slim to none, and I don’t know but I’d guess the DA2 upgrade is not all that cheap either. 

mattsca's avatar
mattsca OP
3 posts
 

@soix, @audphile1, and @glennewdick , I think the DA1 vs DA2 module issue is moot for me. I have the C-47, in which the digital board is not upgradeable, as it is in the C-49 and C-55. That’s ok for me. I think that lack of upgradeability accounted for the deal I got. I assumed DAC improvements would need to come "outboard" of my preamp. You guys now have me focused on a dedicated higher-end DAC as a near term upgrade to my system.

@russ69 no offense taken regarding the Heresys. I got them originally to go with a vintage setup - includes a Marantz Model 19 (which I LOVE) and a Denon DR-M30HX cassette deck. I also have pairs of B&W602 and Elac Debut 6.2 B, which I can try out as well.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,177 posts
 

The front end imo is the front end since all music starts there good or bad 

buy a much better dac, your Eversolo use as just a streamer ,this makes perfect sense ,in sonics ,thedac in the Eversolo not That good for sround $2k or under

you can get a very good dac.

bilyeauxbrew's avatar
bilyeauxbrew
29 posts
 

@mattsca I have my brothers 74 Heresy I’s and it was time for an update. Changed crossover and all drivers with components from Crites speakers in Arkansas. They specialize in everything Klipsch. Very nice upgrade.

allanblissett
150 posts
 

I had a C47 years ago,  the dac wasn't bad for the time period,  it had a nice clean sound.  Not sure if that was due to the dac or the preamp section.  It was not the dac1 or dac2,  just  unspecified. 

I would use the A6 dac into the C47 preamp. 

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