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DAC as a preamp?

I need a new DAC. I use my computer for volume control, but do not trust it. I want separate volume control. The 90s me would have immediately thought preamp. But since I need a new DAC, my question stands ... DAC as a preamp?
I've posted more info about my system below.
I need some advice on the best way to go about getting volume control for these powerful asp1000 amplifiers. I've read about the high input impedance. I use a computer for my source playing Flac, wav or hi-res audio files. I'm using a very simple dongle Style USB DAC that sounds okay. I have choices, but do not know what my best bet is. For simplicity, it would seem I should just buy a better desktop DAC, such as and SMSL M500 and use the volume control knob on front. Or ANY other DAC with a volume control for that matter. I know I can use my volume control the USB. Provides through the keyboard on my computer. But with amplifiers this powerful, I figure I should have a volume control to prevent issues such as full volume noise blasts, which have happened before when the computer glitches. My second option would be to purchase a regular preamp. This would be the most expensive option, as I would want something at least as good as the Schitt Freya +, and that is $900! I would still need a decent DAC upgrade. This gets expensive with my health issues at hand. The last way I could go, is something like an all tube gain stage. I would still need a DAC, but a simple gain stage kit should only be a few hundred at most. The other two options I can think of, would be the pass B1 buffer clone kit preamp for 150 dollars, but I don't know if it would play nice with a high input impedance of the icepower amp. The most simple and cheapest route, would be be using the Sure digital volume control option. But I do not know how high fidelity that would be. I could really use some help. I've been out of this hobby for about 10 years now. I feel a bit lost and appreciate everyone who has helped so far.
flaxxer
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

unsound
@georgehifi, Would that in turn mitigate the interconnect capacitance concerns associated with passive analog volume controls, allowing for greater choices and useable lengths for interconnects?

Even if the analogue pot was on the output of the dac, if it were a 10kohm, which meets most needs, at the worst position it’s 2.7kohm output impedance.

This into 1mt of good interconnect which is at worst 100pF per foot is 300pF for the mt, in conjunction with that 2.7kohm pot at output impedance give a HF roll off of -3db at 196khz which as you can see is no problem.

Take it a step further, if the interconnect was 2mts long and poor quality at 200pF per ft then it’s still only -3db at 98khz!! still no problem at all.

Cheers George
flaxxer OP
76 posts
 
@unsound .... I have four pairs. 80db at 4 ohms, 85 db at 8 ohms, 95db at 6 ohms, and 93db at 4 ohms.
unsound
7,333 posts
 
@flaxxer, are they spec’d at 1 Watts @ 1 meter or
2.83 Volts @ 1 meter?
Are those the nominal or minimum impedances?

BTW, the 4 Volt output on the DAC is via it's balanced XLR output, the passive Schitt and buffered First Watt B1 will only accept the 2 Volt RCA output from the DAC. 
antigrunge2
1,452 posts
 
There are Antelope Audio offers on Reverb.com for their Zodiac Platinum. At the price offered, I don’t think there is anything else out there that would compete aa a Dac/analogue preamp
daledeee1's avatar
daledeee1
593 posts
 
HI,  got into this discussion late.  I have a Topping D90 and it is a fine DAC.  Many say the R2R sound better, but as a Delta Sigma DAC it is right up there.  Very neutral sound and very dynamic.  It puts out the 2V and 4V(bal).  I didn't care for the volume control integrated into the DAC.  This left me controlling the volume through my phone and the Bluesound app.  I started a thread concerning this a few days ago so this is a very informative thread for me as well.  I too have a limit on cost so I looked at the tubes4hifi preamps as well as others but they are above your price point.  He makes a preamp that has gain on both channels($1190 on up).  He sells lower cost Chinese units as well. So in closing, could buy a 500 preamp with remote.  You could do several months same as cash if needed. The preamp tubes would not hurt a thing for your sound.  You could go with a lower cost DAC that would still sound good.  I know you already got the d90 but my 2Cents. 
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