Eversolo DMP A6 with or without preamp


I just bought an Eversolo DMP A6, and it sounded great by connecting directly to my MacIntosh MC302 amp. I am trying to figure out why it seems to sound better than going thru my Mac C2300 tube preamp which shouldn’t be too shabby. 

Are most of you using this DAC/Streamer by directly connecting to the amp?  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. 
 

 

eylai777

I ran mine USB and then I switched it to analog directly into my MC 601s. I’d like a direct into my 601s better than going USB. It just sounds more lively, more dynamic I guess. I don’t think the differences in my head, there’s no way to a-b it.

I first plugged the A6 to an Anthem mix 510 via analog and thought it sounded real good.  

Today's digital gear ain't too shabby.   I just picked up a Cyrus i7-XR  Integrated Amp and I love that little amp.  It has a built in DAC and coincidentally it has the same ESS chipset as the Eversolo.   I can't believe how good my TV, PC , and Vault 2i sound with that little guy.    That said I'm not surprised you like how it sounds.   

Some Mac preamps and integrateds have an input trim setting. Personally I would start with the Eversolo' s output set to fixed or maxed out.  I forget how it achieves max output , but you want a fixed out equivalent to approx 2 volts like any other source component RCA. 

If you have it XLR , I would do the same as it should be about 4 v when fixed.  

Then with that fixed I would adjust the input trim plus or minus if so equipped

Yes, I turned the analog volume setting to max when feeding it into the preamp.

 

Btw, the Eversolo volume bypass mode has to be turned on if you want to use it preamp with it. I am new to all of this, and at first couldn’t get it to work with my preamp.