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Looking for excellent DAC without a preamp section

I am in the market for a new DAC for redbook CD, but it should accept up to 24/96 signals. Let's keep the price under $10k new or used. It seems that a lot of the better DAC's out there have built in preamp sections which are undesirable to me. Examples are the Wadia 27ix, EMM Labs DCC2, Weiss Medea, Camelot Uther, Audio Synthesis DAX Variable, Esoteric D70, and some others I am sure. All I want is a great DAC with 2 volt unbalanced outputs.
jazzdude
mejames
986 posts
 
Audio Synthesis DAX discrete doesn't have preamp section also Meitner DCC 6 doesn't either also the Meitner DCC 2 has a output which bypass the preamp section
electric_monk
38 posts
 
I love my Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista Tube DAC. It outputs 24/192 or 20/96 with a switch on the back of the unit. It also has a digital passthrough and accepts SPIDIF and Toslink inputs. Great sound IMHO although I have not compared it to any other DAC's. Price is $2400.00 new. Not sure if there are many still available as it was a limited run.
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
How about the Dodson or Audiologic DACs?Any feedback?
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,691 posts
 
The Weiss Medea does not have a preamp portion and the Theta Gen VIII is available without it.
merge038346
73 posts
 
Why care if the DAC has a variable output? You don't have to use it, and at unity gain the output stage is not really in the picture (to varying degrees). Most high end DACs do have a variable output.

Why discount a Meitner DCC2 or Wadia 27ix because it has a variable output? Especially something like the Wadia 27ix where the volume control is digital. At 100% volume, it is the same as no volume control. Being "out of the picture" may not be entirely true for DACs with analog volume controls.

Few standalone DACs do not accept 24/96 inputs. It is easy for them to do as most of the off the shelf chip sets support it. What is hard to come by is a 24/96 source.

Also, I hear Wadia has a new DAC coming out.....
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