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

The front end imo is the front end since all music starts there good or bad 

buy a much better dac, your Eversolo use as just a streamer ,this makes perfect sense ,in sonics ,thedac in the Eversolo not That good for sround $2k or under

you can get a very good dac.

@mattsca I have my brothers 74 Heresy I’s and it was time for an update. Changed crossover and all drivers with components from Crites speakers in Arkansas. They specialize in everything Klipsch. Very nice upgrade.

I had a C47 years ago,  the dac wasn't bad for the time period,  it had a nice clean sound.  Not sure if that was due to the dac or the preamp section.  It was not the dac1 or dac2,  just  unspecified. 

I would use the A6 dac into the C47 preamp.