Tube buffer or DAC?
codycatalist
Posts: 2,662
in Electronics
Been thinking of cheaper ways to increase the sound quality of my 2 channel system. I really don't need a new amp at this time as my integrated has enough power for the room I have the 2Bs in. So I was wondering should I get a DAC or a Tube buffer (pre amp) then run that to my amplifier from my Ipad?
What do you think would yield best results?
What do you think would yield best results?
Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
Comments
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A dac would make a world of difference compared to a "Technics something or other CDP""Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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Yeah that is just my CD player. Currently I only have the Ipad going from 3.5mm to RCA on the integrated Yamaha.
I had a cheap 16 bit DAC I connnected before but it didn't make much of a difference....however it was VERY cheap and not meant for high end audio so that is most likely why. Any good budget DACs out there? $200 or below.Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
Here is a real nice DAC for the money. These are like $500.00 new.
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649299679-parasound-zdac-v2-dacheadphone-amp/The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact. -
Great deal indeed!Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
A dac would make a world of difference compared to a "Technics something or other CDP"
+1. Forget the tube buffer for now and get a nice dac for streaming from the ipad._____________________________________________________________________________________________
Ethernet Filter: GigaFOILv4 with Keces P3 LPS
Source: Roon via ethernet to DAC interface
DAC: Bricasti M1SE
Pre/Pro: Marantz AV8805
Tube Preamp Buffer: Tortuga TPB.V1
Amp1: Nord One NC1200DM Signature, Amp2: W4S MC-5, AMP3: W4S MMC-7
Front: Salk SoundScape 8's, Center: Salk SoundScape C7
Surround: Polk FXIA6, Surround Back: Polk RTIA9, Atmos: Polk 70-RT
Subs: 2 - Rythmik F25's
IC & Speaker Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, Signal Cable
Power Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, PS Audio
Room Treatments: GIK Acoustics -
You could get a grant fidelity and have both in one.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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I was also curious and had a Grant Fidelity tube buffer with a pair of 6SN7 tubes for a couple weeks, I placed it in between a Parasound d/ac1100 and a Marantz 2270 and concluded that I prefer the sound of the dac straight into the Marantz and just sold the buffer.
I didn't find it useful with my gear, i.e. Parasound players/dac and vintage Marantz... -
I think a good DAC would serve you best.I would look for a day magic or Peachtree audio DAC-iTx for your budget.2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.
