DAC/Preamp

audiocr381ve
audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
edited May 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Hey guys, I'm looking for a DAC/Preamp combo unit and just more information in general about buying these "combo" units. Are separates the way to go for preamps and DAC's?

Seems so much more convenient to combine the two. I've spent a lot of time over at the Audio-gd website. They don't offer a combo unit but seem to be held in high regard. Any thoughts on them?

Budget is $500. Can't push that, unless I want to be a newspaper headline because my wife would kill me.
Post edited by audiocr381ve on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited May 2011
    I enjoy the simplicity of my Peachtree Nova Pre/Dac and W4S Dac-2 Pre/DAC.. it all depends on the implementation.. some combo's are great, others less so..

    Neither of those options are in the $500 range unfortunately.. I'm sure others will chime in with some decent options in that range..

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited May 2011
    If you are relatively good at soldering and power supply/board layout I would recommend the Buffalo II with the Volumite option from Twisted Pear as a DAC/Pre combo. The analog stages they have are only SS, but if you are happy with that then it should be relatively simple to do, and with a case, etc. within your budget (barely). I just finished one with tube output and it sounds phenominal. Just think about it as an option, unless you find something you prefer more. Twisted Pear is found here:

    http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/landing.aspx

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2011
    headrott wrote: »
    If you are relatively good at soldering and power supply/board layout I would recommend the Buffalo II with the Volumite option from Twisted Pear as a DAC/Pre combo. The analog stages they have are only SS, but if you are happy with that then it should be relatively simple to do, and with a case, etc. within your budget (barely). I just finished one with tube output and it sounds phenominal. Just think about it as an option, unless you find something you prefer more. Twisted Pear is found here:

    http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/landing.aspx

    Greg

    Hmmm...that's very interesting. I've done some very light modding and I think my soldering skills could be up to the task. Could you give me a little more information on this?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited May 2011
    What are you looking to find out about it?

    Greg

    Edit: Oh, and the Buffalo II DACs are on sale right now! I would seriously consider getting one with the placid.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2011
    Not knowing how to tell if one spec is better than another myself, how does the Buffalo II compare with the Audio GD NF3?

    http://audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/NFB-2/NFB2EN.htm

    Also, it looks like all I'm getting is a module. Does that mean no housing? Switches etc?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited May 2011
    The Peachtree Decco sounded pretty damn good, and is somewhat mod friendly. Stock unit's are available for about $450 used.

    Step up to the Nova as Greg suggested and you'll get the ESS Sabre DACs (and plenty more), though for a couple hundred more (but totally worth it).
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited May 2011
    A DAC I was strongly considering was the Audio Fidelity V-DAC ($299). From all I read it was even better with the upgraded power supply. User's tried it with a Pyramid regulated supply and a fancier Kingrex unit that was more expensive. I was able to find an AMC DAC 8 for less than $100 that I am currently using. The DAC 8 is an older unit but is very musical. I have to concur with others that posted about this dac, that it was hard to beat for the money. Cheers. :cool:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited May 2011
    I have a Benchmark DAC1 which I'm VERY happy with; you MIGHT be able to find a used one for $500....
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2011
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    I have a Benchmark DAC1 which I'm VERY happy with; you MIGHT be able to find a used one for $500....

    A fine choice of a DAC. But $500? They go for a lot more than that used.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited May 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Not knowing how to tell if one spec is better than another myself, how does the Buffalo II compare with the Audio GD NF3?

    http://audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/NFB-2/NFB2EN.htm

    Also, it looks like all I'm getting is a module. Does that mean no housing? Switches etc?

    The Sabre DAC (contained on the Buffalo II) has some of the best specs on the market currently. The Buffalo II (Sabre ESS 9018) has better (overall) specs than the WM8741. Plus, there are only 2 WM8741 chips used in the NFB-3 (opposed to 4 ESS ES9018 chips used in the Buffalo II module) resulting better sound (clarity, imaging, separation, etc.).

    You are correct in that the Buffalo II is only a module. You would have to buy the Placid power supply and a transformer to power it as well. Also, it would not come with a chassis or power switch either. The Buffalo II would be a DIY project and would require you to source the parts and assemble it. The positive side of that would be you could customize how the DAC/Pre is put together, plus you would potentially get a better DAC/Pre for less money.

    Something to think about anyway.

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited May 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Hey guys, I'm looking for a DAC/Preamp combo unit and just more information in general about buying these "combo" units. Are separates the way to go for preamps and DAC's?

    Seems so much more convenient to combine the two. I've spent a lot of time over at the Audio-gd website. They don't offer a combo unit but seem to be held in high regard. Any thoughts on them?

    Budget is $500. Can't push that, unless I want to be a newspaper headline because my wife would kill me.

    How many inputs do you need? Will you need an analog input?

    You might squeeze a used Benchmark DAC1 (basic version/non-usb) for $500.

    I've been using a Benchmark as my pre/dac for over 6 years.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited May 2011
    steveinaz wrote: »
    You might squeeze a used Benchmark DAC1 (basic version/non-usb) for $500.

    I've been using a Benchmark as my pre/dac for over 6 years.

    A regular DAC1 or the DAC1/Pre model? I have both and did use the DAC1/Pre as a pre-amp for a while, but I got tired of getting up and down to adjust the volume. :biggrin:
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited May 2011
    Both. The first 5years was the non-usb base Benchmark DAC1.

    I did too...that's why I use it line-level now, into my Placette remote control passive. hehe.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited May 2011
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Both. The first 5years was the non-usb base Benchmark DAC1.

    I did too...that's why I use it line-level now, into my Placette remote control passive. hehe.

    I got tired of getting my fat **** off the couch to turn the tube amp volume up but then I got a squeezebox and now I just use the volume on that via the remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited May 2011
    I think you may be compromising fidelity using the volume control on that squeezebox. I believe the conventional wisdom is to leave that set a max output.

    Maybe Brock can confirm...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2011
    Hey ya'llz, I thought I'd close this out and let you guys know what I ended up deciding on.

    Emotiva XDA-1 is on it's way! The response to this DAC has been awesome for the most part. What really sold me besides all the happy owners reporting a huge improvement, is its functionality. It comes with a remote and balanced outputs (for future upgrades ;).

    I'm thrilled :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter