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setting requirements for my streaming DAC+"preamp"/volume control and suggestions

Hi all,

I'm in the process of building my first high end system from scratch and need some help setting requirements and suggestions on the streaming DAC/preamp question.

After much auditioning I've already decided I like the presentation of Wilson Audio Sabrina speakers paired with a Mcintosh 452 amp to drive them in a relatively big room. I listen to a lot of electronic music and here is the kicker - I listen exclusively to streaming. No phono, no radio, no CDs, no tape. Maybe at some point cached streaming but that's it.

I am trying to decide how to best choose a streaming DAC and preamp/volume control (technically I'm willing to break out the streamer, DAC and preamp if necessary but not starting there). So far I have heard a Linn Selekt + Katalyst with the exact equipment above and liked it.  I could stop searching here but I'm not sure if I'm paying for features I don't need or can achieve the same or better for slightly less or more.   My thought at present is that I should look at streaming DACs with volume controls, no preamp (which I could always add later - or never).

  • is writing off the idea of getting a preamp separate at this point foolish?  
  • what 'requirements' do I need to set for the volume control/preamp portion of my streaming DAC (or streamer + DAC)? Is there anything I need to think about 'pairing' it with the McIntosh or can I be assured that any DAC with a volume control will be OK and just a question of what I like with my ears?   I honestly I don't even know how to determine exactly if a DAC has an analog preamp or a digital volume control when reading specs and if both are ok.  (please enlighten)
  • knowing that I definitely like what I heard in the Linn Selekt + Katalyst with my exact equipment are there brands or models I should consider either (i) in an attempt to save money or spend a little more to get the same kind of presentation or (ii) in an attempt to contrast the presentation with the Linn plus the gear I know I'm getting? I can tell from my speaker evaluation and with the music I like I clearly like faster more articulate presentations but I don't know where that hits a limit of too much so I'm open to anything at this point.  I'd just like to start grouping my choices.

Apologies for the long post. I hope I stated my requirements cleanly enough.


gryphonite
yyzsantabarbara
4,819 posts
 
If I decide that DSP is not too my taste and a floor stander is not going to work. I have identified a monitor speaker that would work perfectly in my room. In this case I would get the the non-DSP Mola Mola Makua preamp with ROON based Ethernet streaming when the optional DAC module is installed. This preamp is expensive as heck but it is my lottery ticket choice if I go with the monitor speaker.

I am really intrigued by Ethernet streaming compared to what I currently use which is USB to a DAC via a Sonnare microRendu. This microRendu is an Ethernet-2-USB streamer. I have seen it referred to a digital-2-digital streamer. The Ethernet streaming option would eliminate the need to use the USB as my streaming input. One less device.

I use the microRendu so that I can use a bad noisy computer to stream my music via ROON. The microRendu allow me to separate my computer (far distances) from my audio system. The Makua Ethernet approach is supposed to be inherently less noisy than USB direct to a DAC from a computer.

I mention the Makua to you because Mola Mola just released a new standalone DAC that has a volume control that is supposed to be almost as good as the Makua’s. The DAC is called Tambaqui and it also supports ROON and Ethernet streaming.
gryphonite OP
10 posts
 
Thanks @yyzsantabarbara .   All makes sense.   For me I've been happy with what I have heard so far without Space Optimization on so it's something I don't need.  On the other hand I was quite pleased with the Katalyst DAC.   It's my current first choice.

Good luck with your investigation and thanks!
yyzsantabarbara
4,819 posts
 
@gryphonite No problem.  I just came back from a Linn dealer where I was auditioning the Paradigm Persona 3F with both the Mark Levinson 585 and the NAD M2 streamer + NAD Class D amp. I was rather shocked to find that I preferred the cheaper NAD stack over the ML 585. Dealer mentioned that the DAC in the ML 585 was better than the lowest end Linn and similar to the Linn Accurate DAC (I forgot if he included Katalyst in his comparison).

The M12 has all the features I described above about the Mola Mola (especially ROON via Ethernet, no DSP ) but it costs a ton less and has really great synergy with the speakers I have now decided to buy, Persona 3F. I now realize that I do not need DSP with this speaker.

https://nadelectronics.com/product/m12-digital-preamp-dac/

The NAD was such a pleasant sounding unit. The Persona in the new all Black color also looks very good and sounded amazing. The Issaac Hayes track "Walk on By" was a revelation with the NAD stack. I don't think I will get the NAD amp but that streamer was great with the Persona.
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