2. digital
  3. 127596-388

Any comments on DAC going direct to power amplifier or to pre-ampliifer?

My local retailer HIGHLY RECOMMENDS the use of a pre-amplifier.  Bricasti believes that going direct to a power amplifier sounds better.  And, I also know that everyone had a "different opinion" about going direct or using a pre-amplifier.  

I am running my Bricast1 M1 SE DAC direct to my Hypex NCore NC400 Bridged Mono Block class D power amplifiers (no pre-amplifier) and like the sound quality very much.   

For me, the sound is more natural and clearer by going direct to a power amplifier. Of course, I think the M1 SE DAC has special “custom" circuits in the analog section to make it sound so good. I returned home and listened to my system.  It sounds terrific and I continue to enjoy and recommend the Bricasti M1 SE DAC.

Please note that we removed the R141 (circuit) from my Hypex NCore NC400 bridged mono blocks, thus lowering amplifier gain by 14 dB, requiring 14 dB higher M1 volume setting for same playback level.  Bricasti says the goal is to have the M1 CLOSE to 0db front panel attenuation.  If you reduce the volume on the M1 SE DAC, you cause more bit reduction meaning you lose sound quality.   We discussed this modification with Hypex and they approved the removal of the R141 circuit.  They suggested we be very careful removing the 4 R141 chips (for my 4 NC400 amplifiers) to avoid board damage.  

I noticed that many of the newer DAC’s (even the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty DAC and many others) have volume controls meaning their DAC/Pre-amplifiers are designed to go direct to a power amplifier (as an option, of course).  

What are your experiences of going direct to a power amplifier or using a pre-amplifier?  Have you compared going direct vs. going to a pre-amplfier and noticed any sound quality differences?  Have you gotten different results from using different DAC's and amplifiers?   Your comments are appreciated.  Thanks.





hgeifman
ami's avatar
ami
63 posts
 
I don't know about "most", and neither do you BTW :-) maybe "most of what you read"...
i did not try the BHK in my system.
if it will prove my previous experience wrong, I'll be delighted to admit it.
have a wonderful week 
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
986 posts
 
Heard it for myself at my local dealer’s.
You can listen to the bhk preamp with the DS at your local PS Audio showroom and let us know your experience.  :)


ami's avatar
ami
63 posts
 
I would have to hear it with my system, in my listening room.
Perhaps I'll just order one from PS Audio.
IIRC they offer a 30 day try-at-home, no cost program.
:-)
erik_squires
16,051 posts
 
It depends on the DAC and whether it has a really robust output stage, also depends on what you like about a particular preamp. Maybe it is adding euphonics or changing the dynamic range in a way you like?

Personal Experience:

Mytek Brooklyn vs. Parasound P7

Winner: Brooklyn

BUT! I still use the P7. The difference is minute, and I need the multi-channel switching, and prefer to stick to 1 remote.

The overall sound direct was clearly, but minutely, more transparent. I'm choosing to sacrifice it for convenience. If I had a strictly 2 channel, digital only setup, or maybe with turn table I would heartily recommend the Brooklyn directly.

Best,


E
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Most sources today have output stages that are just as "robust" as any preamp's output stage, save for some tube output stage sources, then it needs to be <1kokm ouput impedance, some are not and around 3-5kohm which to me is not  great designs.

Cheers George     
More to discover