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Any comments on DAC directly to Power amp with no

Do you have any comments of running a DAC directly to power amplifier with no preamp? I can think of several advantages to not using a preamp but would really like your opinion, since, it seems, many of us are opting to go direct these days.

For example, let us assume the DAC goes straight into the power amp's XLR inputs; the DAC's volume control is digital, runs in 32 bits (or 24bits) and is very well implemented.

I have been told that some users do not like the idea of running a volume control well down in its range so use fixed attenuators but many have reported a loss of SQ in the process. Others have stated that they prefer the sound through a preamp stage. And, as expected, others state the sound quality is improved when the preamp is eliminated.

I hope to test these options, with and without the pre-amp, shortly and am interested in hearing about your experiences.

Any comments on this would be appreciated.
hgeifman
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

As far as XLR (balanced) or SE (single ended) goes.
Unless you plan to run 10's of meters of interconnect from the dac to the amp, single ended connection should sound better, as usually there are less electronics in the signal path.
Unfortunately many amps these days just have an added balanced opamp at the front end for XLR connection after which they go back to single ended, going single ended bypasses this opamp.
And the final connection to the speakers in almost most amps is single ended, just + signal, and - which is at ground potential.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

No preamp Charles1dad, just the normal Redbook 2v buffered output, at a nice low 40ohms output impedance. Even better again 29ohms as tested by Sterophile

Cheers George
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,249 posts
 
Thanks George,
I'm interested in Hgeifman's listening impressions as I suspect that both methods can sound quite good but certainly different.
I happen to agree with you in regards to balanced compared to single end RCA. The simpler RCA usually sounds better to me despite the touted advantages of going balanced. Certainly fair to say YMMV. On the other hand I do hear advantages with balanced AC power compared to non balanced AC.
Charles,
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,425 posts
 
Well, I am using a BSG QOL after my PS Audio Direct Stream Dac. So, technically not quite direct to the Amp.
However the PS Audio Dac controls the volume etc.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
I have had beautiful results either way, with or without a preamp. However, lately the DACs are becoming SO good that putting a preamp in the chain is putting something in the road that doesn't need to be there.

I am a strong advocate of shorter signal path typically being superior. This has almost always been the case, especially in terms of cleanness, detail and microdynamics. The issue is whether one can get the desired macrodynamics, soundstage and tonality. If those can be obtained via a DAC to amp setup, the results are breathtaking!

The problem is, most DACs can't do it well enough. :(
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