2. amps-preamps
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Preamp w/DAC (or Integrated w/DAC) vs. Outboard/External DAC? (Again! Forgive me!)

Please forgive this question if you think it's been answered before. I really have been researching it and am still confused.
Regarding prospective purchases of preamp or integrated amp —total budget about $3-4k.
I am still trying to decide a basic question of tubes vs. solid state.
But, I am *also* stymied by the "external vs. internal DAC" issue. This is the question I'm raising now.
  • Some say "you must get an external DAC because things change so much."
  • Others say, "get an internal DAC, you'll be fine and then can do a pre-out later, if DAC's change."
  • An audiophile friend says, "Even having an internal DAC that you bypass still adds noise, so keep it separate for that reason, too." (He recommends audio-gd DACs.)
  • Because I'm very interested in PS Audio's StellarGainCell (and it has a built in DAC) and I raised the DAC issue with them — I asked, basically, "Why shouldn't I worry about the obsolescence of the DAC in the GainCell Preamp?"
  • PS Audio replied: "It’s true that DAC technology has changed a lot in the last decade and obsolescence has been an issue as the industry has shifted towards streaming….The Gain Cell is compatible with all of the popular formats, like DSD and high rate PCM, so obsolescence is unlikely for what we can foresee. All of the streaming services we’re seeing, even new ones like Qobuz, are doing 24/192 and the Gain Cell is more than capable to handle all of that. While we can’t predict the future, we’re not seeing anything on the horizon that we expect to change this. We haven’t heard of anything that would be game changing and drastically alter this product’s relevance as the Gain Cell can process the file types and sizes we’re seeing with streaming which is increasing in popularity….We’re proud of the design of the Gain Cell’s preamp section, and I think its performance both in the DAC section and the preamp section will have a lot of longevity for years to come."
Any opinions about the general issue?
Any suggested $$ breakdowns for how to spend $3-$4k — how much for preamp, amp, dac, proportionately?
This is a system-building in progress. I'm spending reasonable, similar amounts on other elements but not gobs of money -- e.g. I will not have $5k speakers or a $2k streamer, etc. So if you think I'm over-worrying this question *given my total system's modest profile* you can just tell me straight, "Dude, don't bother worrying about this question. Your system isn't worth it." I'll appreciate that candor, too.

128x128hilde45
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
You’re singing the tune I’m singing today... prima Luna and schiit. Somehow I caught the ps audio bug and I’m not sure I can shake it. Take all this with a grain of salt, as I’ve not auditioned anything yet.
I am considering two different pairs of speakers right now. Both are 84db sensitivity and one is 8 ohms and the other is 6 ohms. Salk Wow1 and Dynaudio evoke 10. They will be compared and one will be sent back. Others have relayed the very good advice that I should probably look for a more efficient speaker and then I would enjoy a greater range of choices for the amplifier and preamp and Dac. But something has be a fixed point in all this or I’ll go crazy. And people love the Salks and I loved the Dynaudios.
The more general issue is that I will be listening in a fairly small room and so it would be easy for the speakers to be too large. At some point I might want to move things to a larger room and so having some extra capacity in the amplifier would not be a bad thing.
branden_8091
60 posts
 
I've never looked at a single PS Audio product, I don't think!
I don't know of either of those speakers...but ones that I think would do well in a small-ish room are the ones I heard the Freya+ with at a friend's house: Buchardt S400, they were incredible.
I have Focal Aria 936 speakers, they're also great, but quite large! Lol
I know what you mean about 'something has to be fixed'...in my case, I've had a Marantz 2240 as the heart of my system for nearly a decade.  Over the last few years I've bought a new TT, CD player, speakers, then I needed a more powerful amp so I got that too.  Now the 2240 is a definite bottleneck in my system.  So, that's why I've got a Freya+ on order :) I think the improvement should be jaw-dropping!
It'll be relegated to a vintage setup with matching tape deck and turntable, once they're refurbished a bit. I'm quite excited lol!  Paradigm speakers too, very nice stuff.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
Buchardt speakers were on my list, too! I probably watched four different videos about them today and spent 30 minutes on their website. I have a feeling we have very similar instincts. Ok, they just made my speaker short list. I think I have a fetish about Denmark! It could be all the blondes. :-)
rego
378 posts
 
Hey hilde45, the Technics Grand Series is where I landed with a sense of wonder still intact.
Two somewhat different integrateds in the Grand Series lineup: SU-G30 / Integrated Streamer and Su-G700 / SL-G700 can be added for Streaming capability.
Each in the $4000-$5000 Range new. The SB-G90 Loudspeaker are around $4000 also. I would have to check into the price on the SL-G700.
The Streamers do a-lot MQA included.
PS Audio uses PWM also.
Even a demo at a retailer was not enough for me to realize just how good this gear is.
Compared to a Freya / Gungnir MB / Vidar it is a stark difference.
Quiet / Detail / Holographic / Very Fast with great Tone as well.
Grand Series components do come up on Audiogon occasionally.

branden_8091
60 posts
 
Hahaha very good! Yes, sounds like we have a similar hifi style.
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