Preamps - Analysis and Reviews

[TubeLover]

On 9/22/2017 at 10:21 PM, mourip said:

 

That has been my experience also. I have done it both ways and many times. I found that a separate active preamp improves over using the output stage of most DACs. Usually the benefits are increased dynamics and a more convincing soundstage. Perhaps it is the dedicated power supply or better impedance matching.

 

It is also possible that the keyword here is "quality ?

Could not agree more with both of you. A friend of mine and I have tried DAC direct to amps with at least six different DAC's and noen were even close to being capable of the quality of sound we received with a "quality" preamp in the mix. We've also been to many demos at shows, national, and local and seen the same thing happen. I'm sure there may be some DAC's that work well directly to the amps but the only times I thought I experienced that was with mega dollar DAC's and amps. 

 

JC