2. amps-preamps
  3. 177699-5587

First Watt F8, passive preamp, DAC

The F8 is comparable to other First Watt amps in terms of wattage but the gain is only 15db. The Stereophile review says to be wary of using it with a DAC volume control and presumably a passive pre. Can anyone speak from experience? My speakers are Devore, 91db, 8 ohms, and I would like to control the F8 with my DAC. 

rfprice
rfprice OP
150 posts
 

The DAC output is 100 ohm unbalanced, 200 ohm balanced. I guess that's pretty good. 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

The DAC output is 100 ohm unbalanced, 200 ohm balanced. I guess that's pretty good. 

Those specifications (In ohms) are referring to the output impedance. What is the output "voltage" of your DAC?

rfprice OP
150 posts
 

Aha. Would it be 1.414 VRMS unbalanced? It's the PS Audio Directstream DAC. 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

1.44v is pretty low.  Most DACs output 2v and higher. With that low voltage coupled with a low gain amplifier, unless your speakers are high sensitivity, you’ll likely need an active preamp to provide additional gain.

Charles

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

i believe the chord hugo tt2 has a high output voltage, and remote control of it as well, so it can run straight into the amp, low gain or not...

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