2. amps-preamps
  3. 186593-9734

DAC DIRECT IN TO AMPLIFIER OR TO PREAMPLIFIER

For the longest time, I believed that the best preamplifier is no preamplifier.  Eliminating a component from the audio chain would yield less distortion & greater purity.

Recently, I have had reason to re-think my logic on the matter - and I am (I think) changing my mind.  Better said, assuming that the preamplifier in the component you are using (in my case, a DAC) can produce 95% or greater quality sound compared to the preamplifier component, then no preamplifier is the best option.  The 5% represents the (estimated) loss of fidelity in adding another set of interconnects.

That said, most DACs do not have an outstanding preamplifier built in.  I think most have average passive attenuators, and the better DACs have active preamplifiers that are very good - but not as good as a quality preamplifier.

What are your thoughts?

 

 

128x128paul_lindemann
yyzsantabarbara
4,795 posts
 

Only DAC direct to amp that was worth considering for me was the Lumin X1. It was almost as good as the volume  control on the Benchmark LA4. It has some gremlins at low volume, but still sounds good, and great in comparison to other DACs. The LA4 is perfect as a volume control.

My current 2 DACs do not do volume, a Schitt Yggi+ Less is More and the Benchmark DAC3B. I am going to get 1 more DAC and I do not think that has a volume, hopefully not.

 

ghdprentice
6,953 posts
 

I agree that blanket statements in high end audio can be problematic. But in this case, moderated by “in the majority of systems a high quality preamp” will improve the sound quality is fairly safe. Direct to amp typically produces a highly detailed but (typically described as) dead / lifeless sound. If you review the topic here on earlier posts you’ll see that 90+% have experienced this. Most folks that try it, go back to a preamp. I would recommend a high quality tube preamp. Some folks have done very careful component matching and been happy with the results. One has to wonder in those cases, did they value detail over musicality and natural sound, or was it a great match.

 

It will probably not always be like this, as the the shift to the digital world continues, DAC companies will apply more effort to analog outputs and they will likely get better.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,787 posts
 

I've always firmly believed a great preamp is key to a great sounding system...it is the heart and soul.  

I had a fantastic preamp, the Zesto Leto and that cemented my position on how important a great preamp is.   It elevated my system to a different level.  I have tried several DACs straight to the Amp and never liked it. . YMMV

knotscott
918 posts
 

Every situation is a bit unique, but preamp outputs tend to be better suited for driving the impedance of any given amp than a DAC output.  That's not saying that aren't acceptable matches between some DACs and some amps, but it's primarily would preamps are made to do.  Then there's convenience of input selection, phono stage, balance, tone controls, etc.  

soix
9,456 posts
 

This just seems to be one of those very important decisions in audio that needs to be made by trying both in your system as there are just too many variables to make a confident prediction one way or the other.  Best of luck in finding the right option for your tastes/system. 

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