What Combinations of Components Have You Put Together That Sound Good?

@highamp

yes all dacs mentioned have variable analog output volume (if so configured) so are run direct into power amp

FYI, there is another method to use a DAC direct to amp which involves software attenuation. If you have a music service such as ROON, you can use the software volume control in the media controller to raise or lower the volume, allowing a similar setup, but with a dedicated DAC. 

I have done this several times, and while one must exercise caution to always know precisely where the software volume control is (to not accidentally turn on/off the amp with it at a high level, etc.), it works very well. It was difficult to trust it initially, but now I am not worried to use it. In fact, I have a dedicated DAC on review that I plan on doing that very thing today. 

Is that a superior method to build a system? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends upon the preferences of the listener and the actual combination of gear. With the Pathi I had a slightly different setup in that I could run a CDP's analogue output directly into the integrated amps in mono. I advise that all possible permutations of systems be tried, as there is no telling, especially since cable differences have a strong influence, which will be superior. It is a mistake to presume the performance pecking order. 

I’ve read loads about the poor bass of Celestion SL6 speakers.  Try powering them with a McCormack DNA 0.5 Deluxe amp. My response on hearing a Telarc tympani with this combo was to exclaim loudly and involuntarily: “How the $%#% are you doing this?!!!!”

@douglas_schroeder 

it is worth making the important distinction in what doug is describing to reducing volume digitally in the processor chip, which is generally considered a bad idea, as it reduces the bit-resolution at lower volumes

jss49, yes, there are those who would recoil from such a setup, presuming that because theoretically the sound would be worse, it wouldn’t be worth attempting.

They would be wrong.

Typically, as in the system I did set up this evening, going DAC direct to amp, and even using a less than perfect software attenuation is FAR superior to many (I’ll not be dogmatic about it, though I think I have a pretty good reason to be) systems set up alternatively. I obtained the best results to date this evening with the DAC direct to amp, much better than all the previous iterations of systems made with it, despite using the software attenuation.

Let’s learn from this; sometimes the theoretical bad idea is actually a far superior actual result. That is why I actually build systems to test, rather than presume. The results can be - well, often are - surprising, and thrilling. :)