2. amps-preamps
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Preamps without built in DAC silly question

Forgive me for posing such a silly question oh great and knowledgable ones:

I am considering picking up an Audio Research REF 5 SE. However, i do not see any digital inputs where i could go straight from my media PC to the pre-amp. Therefore i will have to keep using my Wyred DAC and connect to the AR 5SE via my balanced interconnects then out to my Levinson 331 Amp. If the DAC unit is doing the conversion already, why would one still want a pre-amp in-between the source signal and amplifier? What exactly is the pre-amp doing if it is not needed for the digital to analog conversion. Will the preamp "improve" the already converted signal? I know i must be missing something very obvious here so please enlighten me. If my logic is correct (which i doubt), the pre-amp would not make any sonic difference. Hence to really change my sound, wouldn't i need to also change my DAC? I think i'd be going backwards if i were to let my media PC do the DAC duty and send signals via RCA to the AR Ref5se. Lastly, besides making more products to sell, why would a pre-amp not include a DAC unit? I'm guessing its to keep prices down or keep things simple in the pre-amp? I look fwd to your replies.
chenglo1

Showing 2 responses by ait

ait
480 posts
 
In case you're curious, a pic of my preamp/DAC. It uses balloon 26 DHT output tubes; the four tubes in front are voltage regulator tubes.

Max26 Preamp/DAC

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ait
480 posts
 
I built a DAC into my tube preamp and it's the best sounding combo I've heard. Very short signal path this way, one less set of ICs, and the preamp output tube also functions as the DAC output stage. Switching is set up with high quality relays so that when the unit is not being used as a tube output DAC, the DAC and its power supply are completely turned off, so no digital demons can get into the rest of the circuit.

So, when it's being used as a DAC, it is a tube output DAC with SPDIF and USB inputs directly feeding my amps (no “additional“ preamp in the chain) and otherwise with the flick of a single switch it is a tube preamp with 6 analog inputs and no additional digital nasties present, since the entire DAC circuit including power supply is powered down.

I'm surprised commercial manufacturers don't do it this way. More complex to build but a “best of both worlds“ outcome.
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