Integrated: DAC+Preamp or Preamp+Amp

Which integration makes more sense to you?

  • DAC+Preamp

    Votes: 6 50.0%

  • Preamp+Amp

    Votes: 6 50.0%
  • Total voters
    12
Portugal

Portugal

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Traditionally the concept of "integrated" has been mostly a Preamp+Amp in a single box.

Recently, it seems that more and more high end DACs (e.g DCS Vivaldi; MSB any model; Jeff Rowland Aeris; AMR DP777) include volume control and are designed to be connected directly to the amplifier i.e this emerging generation of DACs integrates the DAC and the Preamp.

Poll: Which integration makes more sense to you?
- DAC+Preamp
- Preamp+Amp

Going separates is always an option but it's off topic concerning this thread.
 
Have a look at the new Wadia Intuition. Its amp + preamp + DAC. The folks on Audioshark mentioned it to me as a possibility.

The Devialet is another all in one box.

What makes the most sense? It depends on your source. If Vinyl - then Amp+Preamp. If Digital - then DAC + Preamp.

I'm thinking of the Wadia + tube Phonostage + REL subs for me. The Wadia DAC is off the charts and its amp is nice and powerful.

A friend of mine has the Mc 452 and Linn Akurate DSM and loves it. I actually heard this combo in Phoenix and loved it.
 
The all in one box makes me a bit nervous... I once considered buying the Devialet but passed. I like DAC and Amp in separate boxes.

So the question is: having a DAC and an Amp (2 boxes), which one should include the preamp - volume control / input selection - functions?

Mike said:
(...)

What makes the most sense? It depends on your source. If Vinyl - than Amp+Preamp. If Digital - then DAC + Preamp.

(...)
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate why the Preamp integrates better with the DAC then with the Amp for Digital?

Thanks!
 
Portugal said:
The all in one box makes me a bit nervous... I once considered buying the Devialet but passed. I like DAC and Amp in separate boxes.

So the question is: having a DAC and an Amp (2 boxes), which one should include the preamp - volume control / input selection - functions?



Can you elaborate why the Preamp integrates better with the DAC then with the Amp for Digital?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

For simplicity sake and cost effectiveness. If your focus is digital, then having one box can be cost effective and save space. BUT - as eel all know, DAC's are evolving faster than anything else in audio. Buying a preamp with a DAC can present some possible future limitations. It wasn't long ago that a non-DSD 24/96 DAC was the benchmark. Now that same DAC is seen as antiquated.

That being said - that Wadia has my attention!
 
Mike said:
For simplicity sake and cost effectiveness. If your focus is digital, then having one box can be cost effective and save space. BUT - as eel all know, DAC's are evolving faster than anything else in audio. Buying a preamp with a DAC can present some possible future limitations. It wasn't long ago that a non-DSD 24/96 DAC was the benchmark. Now that same DAC is seen as antiquated.

That being said - that Wadia has my attention!
Click to expand...

+1...I would say the integrated pre+amp is better way to go because if you buy a well designed integrated amp, it's likely that its performance will deliver for many years to come (given the evolutionary changes in amplification and volume control topologies). DACs on the other hand are changing all the time and so to counter rapid obsolescence, I would say you would want the DAC to be stand-alone. There are some DAC/pre combos where the DAC is a modular add-on where you can plug it out and plug in an updated module down the road but these tend to be less sophisticated designs. So I would still vote for stand-alone DAC and an integrated pre+amp.
 
I have yet to hear the Devialet but those who I know that have heard it all strongly suggest it will change your thinking on "all in one" components.
 
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