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Tube DACs

For some time I've assumed that tube DACS are meant for direct output to power amps -- in other words, no reason to use a tube DAC if you are running through a tube preamp (unless all components are by same mfr and designed for synergy).

But lately I have seen posts implying some run Brand A tube DAC through brand B tube preamp -- say, Primal Luna 100 to Rogue RP-9. Can't find any prior threads addressing this topic directly.

So, question: am I wrong to suppose that pairing random tube DAC A with random tube preamp B is a bad, or at least a silly idea, absent a known synergy?
 


S

 

hickamore

Showing 1 response by desktopguy

desktopguy
330 posts
 

I've never had a tube DAC, per se (where the tube amplifies signal). But I have had tube buffers, both external and internal to a DAC.

In my experience, a well designed and implemented tube buffer can add to the sound quality of a DAC, especially when the stock tube is replaced by the best quality NOS tube available for that design. In my current DAC, the MHDT Labs Orchid, the stock buffer tube is a GE JAN 5670W. Well after overall burn-in was completed, I got a nice sonic bump by rolling the stock tube to a WE396jw. But when I got an adapter that let me use a Mullard CV5331, that was sonic paydirt.

An already very good sounding DAC got even better.

So I'm a believer in tube buffers...

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