2. amps-preamps
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Anyone using a Mytek Brooklyn or Manhattan (I or II) DAC as a preamplifier?

Anyone have any experience with the Mytek DAC's preamp direct to a power amplifier? Any good? Great? 

I'm considering going with a Mytek Brooklyn direct to either a McIntosh MC275, Pass Labs XA60.8m or X250.8, or Parasound JC-1. I'd need to stick with this setup for a year until sufficient funds are available for a preamp, so want to make sure it's enjoyable and a marked step-up from my current Rega Brio + Parasound zDac combination.

Thanks!Ken
keoliphant
bbyer
18 posts
 
I looked at the Brooklyn and wound up buying he PS Audio Directsteam JR. For only a few dollars more with their trade in offer, I was able to remove the tangle of USB wire and MicroRendu from my system and it sounds amazing directly into my McIntosh amp.  
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
bbyer - I hadn't see the PS, so thanks for providing a new option to look into. Does the Direcstream JR support MQA or do you know if they have plans to support it? Also, which McIntosh amp are you using?

Thanks!Ken
bbyer
18 posts
 
I use Roon which enables playing MQA playback from Tidal.  I believe PS is planning a new release that supports MQA in DAC but frankly it's sort of what led me to believe the Mytek is a bit of a Swiss Army knife incorporating headphone amp, DAC, Phono, etc all into a half sized box.  

My McIntosh is their new small amp MC-152.  I got it used from Audio Classics and couldn't be happier with the combo.  


keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
Thanks again bbyer!
jtwrace's avatar
jtwrace
443 posts
 
I too own a Mytek Brooklyn and it's really a spectacular unit.  Throw in the fact the MSRP is $2k and it's a steal.  Even the firmware that I updated yesterday went off without a hitch.  It's a very powerful unit which sounds great both through a pre or direct (how I use it).  I have a Sotm sMS-200 connected to it as well.  
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