DAC plus Preamp or DAC-Preamp or DAC-Volume Control ?


I recently purchased a 2A3 amplifier. Preamplifier and Speakers have not been chosen.

This will be a ’learning / experiential’ system. My intentions and goals are that this ’JOURNEY’ to a new system be radically different than how I went about putting my current ’primary’ system together.

I will be leaving my front end (computer audio) system the same.

The ’secondary’ system will bifurcate post DAC at the preamp OR with a new DAC/Preamplifier combo component.

The purpose of this thread is to ask for your recommendations and suggestions for:

- Preamplifiers

OR

- DAC + Full Preamplifier // DAC + Volume Control Combo Components

to pair with Scott Sheaffer’s Found Music 2A3 monoblock amplifier. Scott advises that this amp is unfussy with respect to preamp pairings, solid state or tube, or digital volume controls.


Current system (general components): Small Green Computer Server > Sonore Signature Rendu SE > Denafrips Terminator DAC > T+A PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier > Tekton Design Double Impact SE Speakers.


Any additional thoughts and advice related to the topic are welcome.

Thank You!
david_ten
Let's leave budgetary considerations out of the discussion. All options are welcome.
Hi david_ten,

FWIW, I would vote for a separate DAC and preamp. 

A preamp is really a heart of a system and DAC technology keeps changing.

The ability to keep the preamp that you like and just change the DAC, I think, provides more flexibility. 

Thanks for listening, 

Dsper
@dsper  Thank you. Agreed. It's also the most versatile option and will allow for optimized pairings.
Everyone: Thoughts on Ed Schilling’s The Truth Preamp (from the Horn Shoppe)? The T-3 version is an option.
david_ten,

I have not heard The Truth, but I have recently acquired an Axiom II with the Taylor upgrade. Half the price of the Hornshoppe piece.

The Axiom has been used with about ten CDs so it is not broken in yet. 

It appears a bit bright at this point but is worth listening to further to decide if it will give my Conrad Johnson Premier LS17 - 2 a run for its money.

Thanks for listening,

Dsper