Decco from Preachtree audio

Wow, I'm so glad to have found this thread and hear you guys say this.

I just bought a new pair of Paradigm Atoms v5 and a bunch of monster cable (good z2, not lampcord)... I am planning to go laptop -> USB -> DAC-> Monster 1000i -> preamp for my source.

I had researched DACs like crazy... and was set on picking up a paradisea + DAC and an amp like a Nad c352 or Rotel RA-1062.

Then someone told me about this thing... It looked like everything I want in one beautifully presented package at a nice price. But I couldn't find any reviews for it anywhere! I am guessing because it is a new product... although I don't know how new...

So, ya, anyways... I'm nearly convinced after reading these testimonials to pick one up myself. Do you think the sound would compare well with a Nad c325bee / c352 paired with a Paradisea+?

wow... sounds amazing.

Well, I'm sold. Now I just need to sell some stuff to conjure up the funds to buy one.

I don't have a pre-amp or amp or DAC right now... just my new Paradigm Atoms... which I am pretty positive the built in amp is going to be quite sufficient for these little, efficient bookshelfs. So, having a need for all of the things that the Decco offers, looking for high quality, and also on an artist's budget... this looks incredible. Plus I have the option of a subwoofer in the future! Ya!

Hey Ken... you try the amp section yet?

Hey... me again.

Does anybody have any experience with the amp/pre-amp of the decco as well as an amp such as a NAD c325bee or a Rotel 1062?

I would like to know how they compare.

The thing is... I could buy a paradisea+ and a NAD c325bee or c352bee for just about the same price as the audio decco... so it's a tough choice.

Thanks.

Thanks for the input Ken. The amp section is what I am trying to get more info on, so this is exactly the review I needed.

How is it holding up? Are you still liking the sound?

I have no idea what OP chip amps are... it seems to be tough to find much info on it. Reviews on the Decco are few and far between as well.

Thanks again for the info.

Hey Ken, have you any experience with Nad, Jolida, Creek, Rotel, or Rega amps? I would like to know how the decco amp compares.

Hey Ken... Excellent, thanks for the review. I would be driving some new Paradigm Atoms v5... they are rated 90db I think.

Musicman... I would love that review... that is exactly what I have been wondering. Reason being... I could buy a Paradisea and a nice integrated for about the same price as the decco.

So... I wonder, with regards to performance, if it would be better to have a separate amp / DAC+pre-amp or a separate DAC / integrated amp...

Hey Knownothing,

Awesome, thanks for the review. I've been looking a loooong time for this type of comparison. I've wanted a decco for a while now... but naturally I like to be thorough in my research and make sure it is my best option.

I think hearing this finally just put the lid on my decision... looks like I'll be buying a Decco. Now, I just need to scrape up the funds...

BTW, I was talking with one of the designers about the Decco for a while. He told me that with the torroidal power supply in the Decco provided equivalent power as Scott Nixon's $150 power upgrade. Pair this with the fact that the DAC is Scott Nixon's best (I think the one selling for $575, based on the price point equivalents I was given) and this alone just about equals the total retail of the Decco.

Thanks again-

Hey Ddalal-

I'm not sure if it will take accept a 24/96 signal. I bet it does... but it would still need to downconvert it to a 16/44 because its a non-oversampling DAC... 16/44 is the highest output quality your going to get.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing though, because a quality OS DAC that could handle a signal like 24/96 would be much more expensive to build than a quality-equivalent 16/44 non-OS DAC. So... if you primarily listen to CDs (16/44 quality) you will get a much better sound for your buck with a non-OS DAC like the one in the Decco than a more cheaply-made but equally expensive OS DAC.

For me... I have no need for a higher quality than 16/44 as most of the music I listen to is "only" available on this... and, in truth, I a long... long ways away from being able to afford the equipment that one would need to be able to distinguish between a 16/44 signal and something higher like a 24/96... but thats just me.