Technical Question - DAC/Preamp stages

[mcstatz5829]

I am shopping around for a streamer and I got a recommendation locally to use an Eversolo DMP-A8. I have a standalone analog preamp (Sanders Sound Systems). But that Eversolo model has an analog preamp section.

https://music.eversolo.com/dmp/instruction/EVERSOLO-DMP-A8-User-Manual-v1.0.pdf

The DMP-A8 decoding section uses the XMOS 316 audio processor paired
with the flagship DAC AK4191+AK4499EX, enabling it to support decoding up to
DSD512 and PCM 768kHz@32Bit, also ensuring the D/A conversion with extremely
low noise and distortion.

The DMP-A8 is equipped with a high-performance fully balanced preamplifier
function, supporting XLR/RCA analog inputs. It also features a +10dB analog
gain and, when combined with the R2R analog volume control network, ensures
ultra-low noise and distortion for the output. In conclusion, the dynamic range
and integrity of the sound have been significantly improved, resulting in better
performance in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and other metrics.

The manual doesn't show the "Volume Passthrough" feature and it's unclear to me exactly what it does. I've seen it described as "full volume" but also as "no gain" which to me are complete opposites. I could see three possibilities: 1) bypasses preamp altogether; 2) goes through fixed +10db and attenuated -10db; 3) goes through fixed +10db gain and not attenuated at all.

My question: is there any reason at all to use this streamer with a separate preamp? I could see a school of thought that DACs/Preamps could be integrated to eliminate duplicate op amps (DAC buffer/preamp fixed gain) but that's not what this setup would be. I could see using this as a streamer with a separate pre-amp if the preamp stage is completely bypassed, but if it goes through the preamp at unity that seems unnecessary to risk coloration with additional noise and harmonics, or even worse, if it goes through at +10db then I'm feeding a SUPER hot signal into the separate preamp.

Am I thinking about this the right way or way overthinking it?

 

[GSOphile]

IIRC the volume bypass function is provided to allow integration with a home theater system where multichannel volume is controlled by the HT processor.

 

[Bones13]

I would try comparing the sound between using the streamer vs the pre-amp for volume control. A well made pre amp may sound better than the streamer for this purpose.

But then, if that’s your only source, convenience would favor streamer directly to amps.

My DAC/streamer has volume control, but the pre amp sounds better. (And I use a vinyl rig, so I need input control as well)

 

[nicoff]

Eversolo DMP-A8 Balanced Streamer/DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Eversolo DMP-A8 balanced DAC, Streamer, HDMI ARC, and Analog/digital Preamplifier with DSP support. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $1,980. The DMP-A8 is stylish and functional in every sense of the words. Running Android with a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[a.wayne]

Always better with a dedicated pre-amp stage …!

 

[Bones13]

Yes, the tubed pre amp in my system makes all the difference for my tastes.

 

[2FarGone]

When I first moved into my current (and much smaller residence) I had space initially to set up only the speakers and subs. The Directstream was my only source, its outputs split to the two SB-4000 subs and the SET power amp. Both the amp and dac were, by necessity, sitting on the subs on stacked anti vibration blocks. 95% of the world would have said that it sounded great.

When I finally finished the rack posted elsewhere here and was therefore able to bring the Von Gaylord tube preamp into play, I breathed a sigh of relief. This was the way it was supposed to sound. I wouldn’t choose to run it without a preamp again in this system even if I only had one input.

 

[Mr Peabody]

I'm also in the camp where in my experience a preamp is the best sound. Even solid state

I have a friend who has a very expensive DAC, he was using a good preamp but modest in price by comparison to the DAC. We tried going directly from DAC variable output to amp and it just wasn't as good. Just one such experience.

I don't know what MSB does differently their set up is the only one I've heard without dedicated preamp I could easily live with.