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 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - 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/Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel…….Samuel Johnson
Since we don’t know where we are going we have to stick together in case someone gets there….Ken Kesey
To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.
– Kevin Alfred Strom -
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.
