There is at least one unaddressed factor to consider, on the subject of direct vs added active preamp. I can't figure out from the DCS site whether there is an option for a direct output without going through additional analog circuitry for gain as well as the volume control function. I think I recall the Esoteric Dac just had a fixed output which required a separate preamp to at least set the volume control, with additional gain as needed. As a purist strategy of minimizing the number of circuits in the chain, this is the way to go. Too bad the DCS seems to have the best D/A conversion technology, and my guess (correct me if I am mistaken on this) is that connecting the DCS Rossini directly to the power amp requires the use of the preamp and volume control circuits included with the DCS. Since DCS technology is about the D/A conversion, and the additional gain is just provided as a convenience, I have no doubt that another dedicated preamp gain stage + volume control could be superior to the gain stage and volume control of the DCS. But if the DCS could do the SOTA D/A conversion without the additional circuitry for gain, and then use a separate SOTA line stage for gain, that would be the SOTA way to go.
So if my guess about the current configuration of the DCS is correct, then the discussion revolves around the sonic benefits and drawbacks of using an additional preamp. This is the equivalent of using 2 tandem preamps in the system--that of the DCS plus that of the additional preamp. This discussion is not just restricted to DAC's, but it involves other applications, such as using an FM tuner which has its own volume control. The FM tuner could be used directly into the power amp, if there was enough gain, or used with an additional preamp to get more gain which is like using 2 preamps in tandem. In another application with my turntable/phono cartridge, before I got my EQ which had a volume control, I had the life changing discovery that using my fixed gain phono stage direct into the power amp got rid of veils and provided much more transparency and musical information than using an extra line stage. It just so happened that with many recordings, by accident the phono stage gain alone produced the volume I wanted. Other recordings required more gain, so I tried a few line stages. I enjoyed the ability to play at higher volumes, but for other music, adjusting the volume of the line stage to unity gain, I disliked the veiling and loss of information from the added line stage.
Rather than claiming the increased clarity/transparency by omitting the added line stage is a myth, it is more truthful to say that if someone likes more fullness and less in-your-face brightness, then the best choice is to go for the added preamp. However, if someone like me values clarity/detail, the added preamp is a disadvantage. This is true at all price levels. Although I was impressed that the Merrill Christine adds less veiling than the ARC ref 6se, it is still not quite as transparent as omitting it. The videos showed all this.
Lastly, this thread is about one expert's (WC) personal preferences, WC welcomes different opinions and encourages all input, presented respectfully. I am sure some of his clients have my preferences, so he can tailor his advice to their preferences, and others have preferences that are more in line with most members of this thread. All this helps his appeal to a wider audience, which I hope helps his consulting business as a whole.
So if my guess about the current configuration of the DCS is correct, then the discussion revolves around the sonic benefits and drawbacks of using an additional preamp. This is the equivalent of using 2 tandem preamps in the system--that of the DCS plus that of the additional preamp. This discussion is not just restricted to DAC's, but it involves other applications, such as using an FM tuner which has its own volume control. The FM tuner could be used directly into the power amp, if there was enough gain, or used with an additional preamp to get more gain which is like using 2 preamps in tandem. In another application with my turntable/phono cartridge, before I got my EQ which had a volume control, I had the life changing discovery that using my fixed gain phono stage direct into the power amp got rid of veils and provided much more transparency and musical information than using an extra line stage. It just so happened that with many recordings, by accident the phono stage gain alone produced the volume I wanted. Other recordings required more gain, so I tried a few line stages. I enjoyed the ability to play at higher volumes, but for other music, adjusting the volume of the line stage to unity gain, I disliked the veiling and loss of information from the added line stage.
Rather than claiming the increased clarity/transparency by omitting the added line stage is a myth, it is more truthful to say that if someone likes more fullness and less in-your-face brightness, then the best choice is to go for the added preamp. However, if someone like me values clarity/detail, the added preamp is a disadvantage. This is true at all price levels. Although I was impressed that the Merrill Christine adds less veiling than the ARC ref 6se, it is still not quite as transparent as omitting it. The videos showed all this.
Lastly, this thread is about one expert's (WC) personal preferences, WC welcomes different opinions and encourages all input, presented respectfully. I am sure some of his clients have my preferences, so he can tailor his advice to their preferences, and others have preferences that are more in line with most members of this thread. All this helps his appeal to a wider audience, which I hope helps his consulting business as a whole.
