pre-amp vs dac straight to amps

Aside from jitter, preamp distortion noise and compression is the MOST detrimental thing is most systems IME. Elimination of the pre is a huge win.

Depending on how you do this, however, the results can vary widely. I do not recommend using a standard DAC line-out and then using digital volume to reduce the volume. This will degrade the SQ significantly. I have found that more than about -10dB starts to degrade the SQ. Less than that is okay, but this is not enough to use ONLY digital volume. A combination of manual analog volume and digital volume is fine.

So, the next challenge is finding a DAC with a decent volume control technology. In my book there are only two that are decent: Transformer-based attenuation and D/A reference voltage control. Active gain-control and resistive attenuation dont cut-it.

Steve N.

I don't know the technical reasons for my own preferences but my pre amp adds a lot to the overall sound I get. I find that the tubes my pre uses are very good at giving my sound big Tone as I call it a certain full rich and lush at times quality that I like. I have owned an ARC pre and found it to be fairly transparent not adding or limiting much. AS always it coimes down to system synergy and personal preferences.

I have used Perfectwave DAC digital volume controls and bel canto, and both are excellent. I took out a 10K tube preamp myself. Waste of money.

I have owned and checked out quite a few DAC's and tried them all direct and via a pre-amp. Which is better varies on the DAC and I can find no commonality to give a definite answer - you need to suck it and see.

I personally haven't noticed on the DAC's that are better direct connected greater than 10db volume reduction led to an degradation in quality. I well recall checking this out on a very transparent reference system (using the reference DAC of that system - a PDX which does sound better direct connected) with some very experienced audiophiles and none of us could detect a difference with any amount of volume reduction.

Again my suggestion is to check it out for yourself.

Thanks
Bill

Greater than 10dB degadation is only with software controlled volume.

Often digital volume circuits in DACs are actually digitally controlled analog circuits. There are many off-the-shelf chips that do this.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio