Obviously if a DAC has a tube, the tube has nothing to do with digital. It is usually a cathode follower for impedance matching to the device the DAC is feeding and it's there to color the sound to be tube like(otherwise it's colored solid state like).
Tube DACs
For some time I've assumed that tube DACS are meant for direct output to power amps -- in other words, no reason to use a tube DAC if you are running through a tube preamp (unless all components are by same mfr and designed for synergy).
But lately I have seen posts implying some run Brand A tube DAC through brand B tube preamp -- say, Primal Luna 100 to Rogue RP-9. Can't find any prior threads addressing this topic directly.
So, question: am I wrong to suppose that pairing random tube DAC A with random tube preamp B is a bad, or at least a silly idea, absent a known synergy?
S
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@allanblissett volume control inside a dac is often done digitally, and if done right causes no loss of resolution. AFAIC tubes should be in every possible gain or buffer stage. 🙂 |
There are many great solid state preamps. Nothing wrong, at all, with using one. I still prefer high end tubed preamps. When I have compared similar prices ss and tubed preamps I have preferred the tubed… they have a more natural and musical presentation. There are probably exceptions. Controlling amps directly from DACs is not a thing yet. Many people have tried it and most have abandoned it. You end up with great details and a sterile sound. I suspect over the next twenty years this will slowly change as digital dominates the market and analog becomes less main stream.
But for now, unless you want to put out a lot of money, a lot of research time and probably buy you DAC (non-tube) and amp from the same manufacturer, it is better to assume you need a high quality DAC and Preamp. |
I have a Black Ice tube DAC (new purchase, very happy) playing through a Raven integrated tube amp. Sounds really good, starting to rival my analogue front end. It has a gain control, which doubles as a volume control for headphones. It is not designed to be connected directly to a power amp as far as I know. I went with a Tube DAC with the intention of tube rolling, which I did immediately. Huge change after adding some NOS Mullard’s. Done for now. No reason not to use a Tube DAC with a SS amp. Or the converse...my phono stage is SS. IMO the Cart/TT does the sound shaping and I wanted a clean, quiet transfer from the PS.
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