2. amps-preamps
  3. 174113-10297

Do I really need a preamp with dac with volume control help

I was putting together a system in a second room and placed order fo Audio Hungary integrated but found out they had no repair center in U.S. and canceled order.

So I ended up buying a Don Sachs with the intention of buying the matching preamp. Im running the RME adi-2 v2 with Teddy Pardo power supply directly into amp. I’m not using phono or CD in this room.

It really sounds very good. Big full detailed with no lack of gain. Not at all like I’m missing anything at least I think so. Then at times I second guess this, I just don’t know.

Long ago I had a PS Audio RAM modded amp with PS audio preamp with outboard power supply out of curiosity I pulled the preamp out of the system ran balanced to phono pre, it had a volume control and everything opened up and sounded much better. Preamp and PSU went in the closet. 

I don’t want to make same mistake I did in the past and spend a bunch of money on a preamp that may not improve things. It could also make things sound worse like my experience with the PS Audio. 

Can someone advise me why I am experiencing this. Should I buy a preamp, am I missing out without having one, I know I can buy preamp and see and if it doesn’t work and then I can sell it but what a pain and expense, thanks for any insight.

paulcreed
runwell
280 posts
 

PreAmp do take a very good job,in fact, it is called magnifier,but we just do not use that word often,and we use preamp, and very easy to let people think the sound is just need amplifier. In fact,the sound signal need magnify and amplifier before going to speakers,

But why some one get good sound directly from DAC to amplifier? It is usually happen due to the DAC has the preamp function inside,and the company did not say it very clearly.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,990 posts
 

https://www.psaudio.com/askpaulvideo/is-a-preamp-better-than-no-preamp/

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
991 posts
 

My DAC has the ESS Sabre volume control implementation and balanced out as well as my solid state amp. But my Tube pre does not support balanced. Some times I switch from the pre to the DAC direct via xlr.  I think it may sound a bit more analytical but I always find myself migrating back to the pre   I think I prefer the tube pre SS amp combo.  The pre is also where the phono stage be.

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willgolf
938 posts
 

Save your money.  You do not need a Pre for your second room.  I just recently tried my Lampi Pacific DAC as a pre and cou0ld not believe how good the sound was without a Pre.  You can always add a Pre down the road if you are not happy.  

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