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DAC/w Volume control + Power amp or DAC + Integrated?

Doing lots of research for complete new set up from the scratch but very confused about DAC /w volume control section. 
Does the Volume control mean actually a preamp section? So a DAC + Preamp all-in-one box? 
Or are there any DAC with pure simple volume control knob exist? 


One of the systems I am eyeing on is LTA Ultralinear power amp. Source is digital only (Qobuz, local files network streaming via Chromecast audio to DAC via optical, for now) so I may not need separate Pre-amplifier. 

There are couple of options.
1) DAC /w built in volume control + UL Power amp
2) pure DAC + Standalone Volume controller + UL Power amp
3) pure DAC + UL integrated amplifier
 
Which one is the best setup SQ wise? Or Cost-Performance?

Built in volume control affects sound quality of the DAC? 

Is UL Integrated inferior to power amp by a margin?


I would like to go simple as possible because of limited funds (DAC & Amp for < $9k) so assume that going from DAC to Power amp directly is the way to go. All used gear will be more than welcome.


Regards

Arron


 
czar2000
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Georgehifi. Are you using Schiit Sys with your MSB DAC ?
No at the moment, as my MSB dac’s volume is close to full up for the loudest I need, direct into these NC500 amps (no Buffer used).
But I do use a passive as a volume preset with different amps I have, which have higher gain.

Cheers George
alfa100's avatar
alfa100
216 posts
 
George.  Thought as much. I use my MSB Analog DAC direct.  No problems.  With my Wadia 301 and Wadia 521 DAC I needed to set the gain such that low volume started at 60%. That way volume was always over 67%.  
mofojo
2,170 posts
 
@georgehifi,

what passive do you use when you use one? The schiit? 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
With the high gain amp I use my own, but any 10kohm one will do Schiit, Dact, Alps, Black Beauty, Blue Velvet, etc etc.

Cheers George 
clhs04
61 posts
 
I found the Mytek Liberty + Plus Dac to be quite full featured with an appreciable analog / digital volume control and a preamp section that is no slouch in any way. Any notion of so called “bit stripping” appears to be nonexistent to my ears.
I run the dac directly into my MC75 monoblocks ...and get to omit an extra physical space robbing box (preamp) ... and am very happy in general.
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