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Which DAC - Streamer or Preamp?

I’m finally indulging my audio-curious nature and beginning to build a listening room along with a higher-end two-channel system. I managed to snag a McIntosh C-47 preamp and an MC-312 amp, both used for decent prices. For now, I’ll be listening through a pair of Klipsch Heresy (1980) back by a pair of REL T/7x in a 16x24 basement space (sadly, with a low ceiling). I also just bought an Eversolo DMP-A6. So my question is, should I run balanced lines from the Eversolo, or should I run the digital feed to the C-47 for processing? I know that the right answer is "try both and go with with you like." But I am also curious what ’should’ be better on paper, or what some of you with much more experience than I have would say. Thanks for your thoughts!

128x128mattsca
ghdprentice
7,191 posts
 

Wow, that is a hard one. I'm going to guess the DAC in the Mac will be a bit warmer... maybe... 2015 design vs a new budget DAC... really hard call. 

Don't be too intimidated by your system being in your basement. Positioning and treatments can make a huge improvements. Depending on how many reflective surfaces there are. Try couch cushions, pillows and heavy blankets to experiment with dampening behind the system, sidewall and floor. Great way to experiment, then get "official" treatments later. 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,634 posts
 

What *should" sound better, might not to you.

One might not be able to notice any difference.

Conjecture  is a meaningless exercise.

soix
9,698 posts
 

I believe there are two versions of the Mac DAC cards, call them DAC 1 and DAC 2  — forget what they’re actually called.  The first version is not very highly regarded and the DAC2 was apparently a big improvement.  You might want to check which DAC version is in your C-47 just to know.  The DAC in the A6 is probably nothing all that special, which is why they significantly upgraded it in the A8.  This is just some background info fyi in case it might be interesting/helpful in some way, and obviously your ears always need to be the final arbiter.  Congrats (or condolences) on entering the morass that is high-end audio.  

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