DAC + Tube Preamp

Devlon
Devlon Posts: 355
edited December 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
Is there much benefit to using a high quality tube preamp with a good quality DAC? Does it improve anything if the DAC is already high quality? I have in my possession several high end solid state DACs that I am testing. I run these Computer USB > DAC > Sherwood w/Trinnov. The sound is pretty awesome, but now I am wanting more. I am looking at a Conrad Johnson Classic Tube Preamp that comes highly rated. Going from the DAC > CJ > Sherwood am I loosing some quality of the CJ by leaving the Sherwood in the chain? The only reason for leaving the Shereood in line is because of the "Neural" setting in Trinnov. This takes 2 channel audio and changes it to quadraphonic and is amazing to listen to. I have really got accustomed to this sound. I know purist would say take as much out of the chain as possible and go strickly 2 channel. My time is limited on making up my mind and there is no way to test this scenario ahead of time to sees how it would sound. If I am going to lose too much benefit of the CJ with the Sherwood then I may need to postpone my purchase until I research this through some more. Opinions?
Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
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Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2013
    I dont know the preamp but I think the only way to really know the answer is try it.

    IMO, if your AMP is SS and DAC is obviously SS the tube preamp may benefit you by rolling tubes to obtain that sound you are looking for.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited December 2013
    In my opinion, yes and yes.

    I have owned dozens of solid state and tube preamps, and my favorites are a Counterpoint tube (really hybrid) SA-1000 pre and a Eastern Electric Min/Max tube pre. Just way more musical and non-fatigueing than the Citation, NAD, Adcom, Luxman, Sumo, Forte and other decent SS preamps I have owned (and liked).

    I recently added a Keces DAC based on advice from CP members and noticed an additional improvement in detail and musicality.

    You really need to borrow some tube preamps and some DACs if you can and try them in your existing system so that you can convince yourself before buying anything unless you have lots of money.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • Devlon
    Devlon Posts: 355
    edited December 2013
    I own a Keces DA-151 with LME49710 op-amps. Great choice! An amazing DAC! It and the FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby) are the bestDACs that I have tried. Others DACs that I have or have tested: ODAC, Benchmark DAC 1, W4S DAC 2, Emo DC-1, FAT, Keces. Being a guitarist from the 60's I know well the sound/benefits of tube amps from a musician perspective. I have owned Fender, Marshall, Vox, Boogie, etc., but not sure how this tube sound applies to HD Home Audio?

    (PS - I don't have a lots of money but I don't have a wife, lol )
    Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
    2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

    Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
    1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
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