DAC or Tube Pre?

lomic
lomic Posts: 407
edited August 2005 in Electronics
I was thinking of buying a Panny ED plasma but have decided to hold on for a while longer until HD drops into the same price range. So now I have a bunch of money burning a hole in my pocket, so I'm allowing myself a new audio toy.

Just about everyone raves about the wonderful life tubes give music, and I admit my SS system can be perfect, yet lifeless. So I'm considering getting a Dodd ELP to see how I like the feel - my one question about this would be - i don't want to use Y-connectors and my AVR's 6ch direct is already in use, so if I went from the ELP to the AVR's Analog CD in to the amp, would that be considered bad?

Next question is, might I be happier with a $4-500 DAC instead of the ELP, or would it not be a large enough upgrade over the 2900? Other problem with a DAC is that only half my CD's are currently Redbook, other half SACD/DVD-A.

Thanks for any advice--
Dodd Audio ELP [ Tubes ] // Harman Kardon AVR330 // Parasound HCA-1203A // Denon DVD-2900
Polk Audio LSi9, LSiC, LSi 7 // HSU STF-2 // Signal Cable Interconnects (SG BW/A2/MP)
Post edited by lomic on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,778
    edited August 2005
    Go with a tube pre amp.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited August 2005
    Tube pre
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrlouie
    jrlouie Posts: 462
    edited August 2005
    I recently purchased the Dared tube-pre and each week I like it more and more. It truly is awesome sounding. Even my girlfriend can notice.
    Note: Good idea to not use the y's. I had bad luck with y-connectors. Kind of freaking me out at first because I thought my tube purchase wasn't going to pan-out. After removing the y's, all was beautiful ;)

    I've never heard an external DAC, but I do recommend a tube-pre, especially for music. If you use your AVR's amplification, be sure to use the "direct" mode. A seperate power-amp would be best, if your speakers can soak up the juice. But you could always get that later I suppose.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2005
    Tube pre for sure, if you get the Dodd tell Gary you want an HT pass and you will be on your way. Thats the beauty of ordering hand made just for you gear. This is the best way I know to incorporate the pre into your HT rack/system.

    Do not use Y-connectors I was thinking of doing this and was told by Gary that I would likely blow the fluxcapacitor or some damm thing :eek:

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited August 2005
    My ELP is on the way and should be here Saturday, paid extra so it better be ;) . Anyways, I'll be letting ya'll know what a difference it makes in my rig, soon. :)
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2005
    Tube pre.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lomic
    lomic Posts: 407
    edited August 2005
    reeltrouble1 wrote:
    Tube pre for sure, if you get the Dodd tell Gary you want an HT pass and you will be on your way.

    What's an HT pass and does it cost extra? ;)

    Also, since I don't have full range mains, what would be the best way to incorporate the ole' Sub into this?
    Dodd Audio ELP [ Tubes ] // Harman Kardon AVR330 // Parasound HCA-1203A // Denon DVD-2900
    Polk Audio LSi9, LSiC, LSi 7 // HSU STF-2 // Signal Cable Interconnects (SG BW/A2/MP)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited August 2005
    :D My ELP showed up a day early :D. So I can give you a semi-critcal review tommorrow. I feel like a kid with a new Star Wars toy or something. Can't wait.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2005
    lomic wrote:
    What's an HT pass and does it cost extra? ;)

    Also, since I don't have full range mains, what would be the best way to incorporate the ole' Sub into this?

    An HT pass on a pre allows you to use the same amp/gear to run your AVR or pre, it is a very useful option that eliminates headaches when you want to incorporate tubes/analog into a digital HT system.

    It is to miswrite when doing this but let me try.

    You would run analog from the back of Denon l/r output to an input jack on the back of ELP. You run analog from the ELP output to the parasoud/amp running your front l/r. If you get the Dodd, Gary will put a toggle switch on the front for either 2 ch or AV. You set it to 2 ch to hear music through you fronts with the tubes.

    You would run your digital cable from the Denon to the back of the HK. Run an analog cable from the pre-outs for front r/l to the ELP jack marked A/V or H/T or something like that. Flip the toggle switch to A/V and whammo you get the digital processing for your fronts from your AVR through the Dodd and out the same amp. Very cool.

    If you want a sub out I doubt Gary will charge you very much, I know he charges 50 buck to add inputs or outputs, just call him at 972-276-6865 or email him at sales@doddaudio.biz even though he is hardcore audio I have found him very responsive and pleasent to deal with, taking care to answer questions I had about his products. He will build what you want a great perk if you ask me. He has supported this club in the past just mention Club Polk, Russ, Mark or me (Ted) and he will charge you double, naw, just kidding. Their are a bunch here that now have his products, Doro turned me on to Dodd and tubes and I am just passing it forward.

    Have fun, I think the Dodd is a great value for an ELP, their are other companies who make great gear, Conrad Johnson, Cary, Marantz made same great older pieces, Hbomb has one of those, you can spend as much as you like. Tubes have enhanced my audio experience and I feel anyone into 2 ch should give it at least a whirl.

    RT1

    Noel--Good Job dude, You are about to fall in love with audio all over again! :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter