It would appear that I will be fortunate enough to purchase this dream DAC at an incredible price very soon from an original owner. I am sure there are still some owners here (who haven't moved on to a Pacific yet). I was just wondering about those who are using it via its volume control/preamp circuit directly to the power amp(s) and what your thoughts are on doing so. I've previously had some very mixed results, to out it kindly, experimenting with my previous system, and those of friends and others. The results we had were heavily favoring using a preamp and not connecting directly from DAC to amp. Even today, I was on the phone with Conrad Johnson (makers of my ART SA power amp), speaking to one of their top people, asking whether they suggested using the DAC to go direct to the amplifier, and he said they strongly recommend staying with a preamp in the mix, that their testing has always favored that in terms of sound quality. However, I have read more and more, of late, of people's success in going direct, and one of my friend found that also worked for him with his Lampizator Big 7, with volume control.
I'm very torn about this, as I currently own an absolutely amazing preamp which took my system to a new level that I just sit in wonder at. Giving it up to go direct would be painful and disappointing, but then there is the almost incontrovertible logic that a shorter, less complex path, should always result in better audio performance.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
I'm very torn about this, as I currently own an absolutely amazing preamp which took my system to a new level that I just sit in wonder at. Giving it up to go direct would be painful and disappointing, but then there is the almost incontrovertible logic that a shorter, less complex path, should always result in better audio performance.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.