New DAC! Meitner MA3, Denafrips Terminator Plus, Holo May KTE, Mola Mola Tambaqui

Hi @ja_kub_sz ,  I can only speak about how my Tambaqui interacts with my Audionet Stern (and formerly Audionet Pre G2).  The 6v output sounds better than the 2v output on the Tambaqui.  At 6v I only got the clipping on some recordings, but was super annoying.  So by setting Volume offset to -2, for me, it fixes everything and I can still run 6v output.  Remember to use Volume Offset, not Volume, as the digital voilume on the Tambaqui casues bit strippiing or loss of resolution.  Again I run fixed volume output (now adjusted by the volume offset) and control volume on the preamp.  I would think we want to run the highest output from the DAC that works in our system.  The variable output on the T+A is interesting.

I do not know how to equate the amount of Volume Offset you need to run at 6v and eliminate the clipping.  Please experiment and get back to us!

@ja_kub_sz Thank you for a well thought out comparison between the MMT, T200 and Musetec 005.

You have exactly the same priorities as myself, Solid State, dynamic wide presentation and I thought very interesting that you try to get a multi-channel sound from stereo, again excellent points. The only quality I would add is timbre or texture of instruments plus vocal realism - does Jagger really sound like Jagger including his London accent?

Your enthusiasm for DACs is reflected in my love of pre-amps. My very first HI-End gear was Naim, before they became famous. Naim always insisted that the pre-amp is the heart of the system but still adhered to the top to bottom approach of trash in - trash out. So most money should be allocated to the source, closely followed by the pre-amp.

Recently a new school of thought has insisted on the DAC creating the most influence. To this I say I believe it's a combination of the DAC and source that creates a true source.

Are you using the MM Streaming Card with your MMT? Or what's your source?

Regarding clipping it's usually a symptom that your power amp is too small, you're operating it at over 100% of its capacity.

You said the Musetec 005 doesn't cause clipping, these are its specs:
Single-ended RCA output level 2Vrms
Balanced XLR output level 4Vrms

@fastfreight advised to reduce the gain by 2V so I guess this would fall into line with the 005's 4V balanced output.

Good Luck!

@lordmelton your praise of the 005 ultimately pushed me to get it and I thank you.

Innuos Zenith MK3 with Phoenix Reclocker and Ethernet Switch, Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable.

My clipping issue is most likely within the SU-R1000 used as a not preamp preamp, but I'm of the opinion that it's ADC does add something that my previous test preamp (Benchmark HPA4) didn't.

My JC1+ aren't being worked too hard, but they're just getting clipping from the SU-R1000 in sure.

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You left the best dac out of the bunch out of the conversation .

we have tested most everything out there , the T+A 200 dac is exceptional 

at $7k a True  bargain , it will meet or beat any dac $15k or under personally

many of us liked it so much  even vs the Chord Dave, and Mola Mola dac 

which  far more  monies. As we speak I am saving for one .

4 others in our audio-get together already own it.

Check out Lampizator’s entry level DAC, new Amber 4 or used Amber 3. They are incredible DACs. The build quality and sound is second to none in this price range. You can search and review the specs and reviews.