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PS Audio DAC output

Hello.

I have a PS Audio DLIII DAC (with Cullen stage IV mods) which I think has a bit "hard", agressive and fatiguing sound...

 According a review, its output is around 2,8V. I plug the DAC at the "Direct Input" of my integrated amp (bypassing pre), which sensitivity is 1V/5kohm (1kHz). Is ok?

missak
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

What source is driving the DAC?  USB?  S/PDIF coax?

The source can easily be at fault.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

missak OP
7 posts
 
Dear, Steve.

As a transport, I have two options:

1) An Asus notebook connected to DAC via USB.
2) I also have a Squeezebox Touch, via S/PDIF coax.

Between them, I prefer the notebook via USB. The Squeezebox+S/PDIF sounds a bit lean...

I Only hear redbook files.
bsme85
151 posts
 
What is the make and model of your integrated amp? What happens when you don't bypass the pre--is the sound still "aggressive and fatiguing"?
missak OP
7 posts
 
Hi. My integrated is a Sansui AU alpha 707MR

Yes, sound is also fatiguing if I use the preamp inputs.
pmotz
413 posts
 
Missak, glad to hear my second response was the correct one.  I followed the link but the writeup seemed like a sloppy translation from Japanese so I couldn’t make a lot of sense of it.  I’m not familiar at all with Sansui equipment so I can’t really offer help on that. Not sure what speakers you are using, but I still think the issue is with something other than the DL III.  Too many unknowns for me to offer any help, sorry.
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