Pre-amp/DAC for JOB 225

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soundArgument

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I have a first-run JOB 225, and it's incredible. I'm currently using my old integrated as a preamp, however, so I know I could get a lot more out of the amp.

A USB DAC/preamp would be ideal. I'm considering the Benchmark DAC2 HGC and the Mytek Stereo192-DSD.

A concern about the 225 is that its gain, at 35 dB, is very high. This weighs in favor of a passive preamp, but I'm not sure about the quality of most passive preamps on the market right now.

I value Audioshark members' opinions, so I thought I'd ask whether anyone has general suggestions about a preamp for the JOB 225 or specific comments on the Benchmark or Mytek DACs.

Thanks!
 
The Mytek is a solid DAC. I found the direct to amp digital volume lacking and pretty unusable. Enjoy the Job.
 
I find the Job has a lot of gain. I'm still thinking about ideal preamps but if you can, I'd consider the Job preamp coming out. It might be a while but I think it might be worth the wait. One preamp I'd love to try with it is the Wyred4sound preamp. It's passive until a certain point, then turns active. It might be ideal.
 
Thanks, Joe and Etunes.

Etunes said:
The Mytek is a solid DAC. I found the direct to amp digital volume lacking and pretty unusable. Enjoy the Job.
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At this point, I have greater interest in the Mytek than the Benchmark for two reasons. First, while the Benchmark's volume control is digital-only with digital sources (that is, there's no option for analog control of volume for digital sources), the Mytek allows switching between a digital volume control and an analog stepped attenuator. Second, the Mytek reportedly has internal jumpers for reducing the overall level of gain, which would facilitate pairing with the JOB.

joeinid said:
I find the Job has a lot of gain. I'm still thinking about ideal preamps but if you can, I'd consider the Job preamp coming out. It might be a while but I think it might be worth the wait. One preamp I'd love to try with it is the Wyred4sound preamp. It's passive until a certain point, then turns active. It might be ideal.
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JOB once made a simple passive preamp, and I've thought about going passive. Perhaps I'll wait and see what JOB comes up with. With their small-batch production process, I'll hate having to check their website to make sure I don't miss out on the preamp!

The W4S MPre certainly looks intriguing, and the price is attractive. I'd love to see some more detailed specs about it and find out more about how it compares to the Mytek and Benchmark units. I guess it doesn't support DSD, but at $1099, it still seems like a bargain.
 
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STP_FRONT_BLK.jpg
 
Sadly the STP-SE costs more but I know friends with it and they love it. I think it is a great performer and something I may try if the Job pre does not show up soon. I love my current preamps with the Job but I barely have to turn up the volume to get the system loud.
 
I'm using my Classe CP800. When you consider it has a built in DAC and has received rave reviews - its a decent value and pairs nicely with the JOB225. I still can't believe the sound that comes out of that little amp.
 
Job 225 and S5's = Wow!!!!! I bet I'd be done. Job for solid state and CJ ART for tubes.
 
Well, the Antelope GOLD was claimed to be a WOW preamp, so I expect that it the Platinum with the New Voltikus L-PSU is as good, while adding DSD capability, then thei my be an moderately expensive but satisfying solution. Second hand Suprateks, Bent Taps, Dudes , the Truth and the Dodd with octo-coupler will be nice avenues to explore.
 
I have tried a Mytek DSD DAC in my system using both its analog and digital VC. I preferred running it through a Bent Audio TAP passive pre. I then purchased an Exasound E20 (recently upgraded to MK iii status) and tried running direct to my NCore mono amps. While the E20 sounds more musical to my ears than the Mytek AND the VC is very good indeed, again, I preferred the sound with the Bent TAP in the chain.

While I would love to run direct and some swear by it, I just seem to enjoy my listening more with a preamp inserted. That being said, there could be less expensive alternatives than building a TAP-X(yes, you have to DIY one...) as even DIY'd the SE version is around $1,500 and the balanced version runs $2,500. Where a great passive shines for me is in the utter transparancy of the sound. In addition, low volume listening is very good.

There is a company called Tortuga Audio and I have purchased their DIY boards in order to build a balanced version of their LDR passive preamp. Even their built products are pretty reasonable. There have been enough reports of users preferring this pre to other very well regarded passives.

Obviously one needs to be careful with passives in regards to system matching but it looks like the JOB 225 has plenty of gain to mate pretty well with a passive preamp.

Regards,

Randy
 
I will be using the Dodd battery tube variable gain preamp. With Duelands and special resistors. But I sure would like to find a DAC pre that excelled at both, pre and DAC! Does that animal exist even in the higher price range? Cheaper is better but I am open.
 
Antelope Gold or Platinum?

Also, the say BMC Pure Dac is a good pre as well.
 
playntheblues said:
I will be using the Dodd battery tube variable gain preamp. With Duelands and special resistors. But I sure would like to find a DAC pre that excelled at both, pre and DAC! Does that animal exist even in the higher price range? Cheaper is better but I am open.
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MSB Analog DAC
 
Ooh, I thought about the MSB Analog DAC. Do you have one mated to a Job 225? That could be o' so sweet. I think there is Antelope Gold with PSU on AG now ~$2900. I just got delivery confirmation for the W4S STP-SE and the Job 225 via email today. The highlight of a pretty good day!
 
The Wyred and the Job are a great match. I am usually in the first third of the volume control and almost all of my listening is vinyl. If I break down and do digital I am in the first quarter. I find no lack of drive or punch with this combo. When I tried the Wyred with a couple of amps with input sensitivities in the more normal range (<1) that did come into play somewhat. So I use the Wyred with the Job and my tube preamps with the other amps.
 
mg8 said:
Ooh, I thought about the MSB Analog DAC. Do you have one mated to a Job 225? That could be o' so sweet. I think there is Antelope Gold with PSU on AG now ~$2900. I just got delivery confirmation for the W4S STP-SE and the Job 225 via email today. The highlight of a pretty good day!
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No, I have used the MSB Analog DAC in my system & the only reason that I don't have it in my system now is that I have a very good preamp so the volume control was not needed, so went with something else & decided to go separate components all through the system. It has the same preamp section as their top of the range Diamond series, which I have owned. The Analog is really a great dac & you can also attenuate the gain on it in the volume part of the preamp to match accordingly. For the quality of the dac & what you get with it I would rate it as one of the better bargains today.
 
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