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  3. 192459-199203

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
mattsca's avatar
mattsca OP
7 posts
 

@soix that’s a great point, and one that didn’t occur to me right away, coming from a more common audio consumer mindset, thanks.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,319 posts
 

99.9999% you have DA1 DAC module in that McIntosh unless someone upgraded it. That DAC is nothing special at all. It’s easily bested by a good outboard DAC such as Benchmark DAC3 that you can buy used for under $1200. Compare the Eversolo DAC to DA1 and determine for yourself. 

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,709 posts
 

the DAC1 card is just ok but the DAC2 baord is very good in comparison. probably need a $2500+ outboard DAC to beat it. You may want to price the DAC2 board upgrade for your mac, it also adds some very nice conectivity for a TV through the e-arc input also has usb input, very flexaable. 

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,523 posts
 

Not to bag on your older Heresy but I did have Heresy IIIs. Not sure that's a system to tell minor differences. So yes, try all the ways you can hook it up and see what you think. 

soix
9,698 posts
 

@glennewdick  Agreed the DA2 is a big improvement over the DA1 module, but just because it’s better doesn’t mean its sound characteristics match the sonic preferences of the OP, which brings me back to finding an external DAC that does exhibit the sound characteristics the OP is looking for rather than being committed to whatever the sound is on the DA2 that may or may not be optimal for the OP.  Again, DACs are very personal and the odds the DA2 just magically happens to be an optimal match for the OP versus other options is slim to none, and I don’t know but I’d guess the DA2 upgrade is not all that cheap either. 

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