T+A DAC 200 Burn-in

@sealegs you can manage the Meitner output using its volume control. Dial it down a notch or two to better match the gain. But overall it shouldn’t be an issue. I’m using mine via XLRs that are pretty hot into Boulder integrated. No problems. 

Also if you only have one source, digital, the preamp section in the Meitner is top notch. You might not need a separate preamp but that’s just a hypothesis. You’l know when you compare. 

@sealegs 

Good to know that you completed the evaluation and are able to make a decision. Just because a DAC suits my system and my listening preference, does not mean it will suit in your system and your preference.

I hope you are able to find something that will match with your expectations. In any case do keep us posted. You should try the Holo Audio May. I have heard great things about it. I am super happy with the T+A. The only other DAC/player that currently interests me is the Wadax Studio Player - for which I have to sell a kidney. So, not going to happen.

@audphile1 ​​@milpai 

Just as I was about to box up the T+A DAC200, it occurred to me that (as audphile1 suggested) I had not examine the T+A’s  capabilities as a preamp.  The heart of my system for the past 30+ years has been a Rowland Coherence One Series Two preamp feeding Conrad Johnson Premier 12 monoblock amps.  So, I tried one last experiment, pulled the Rowland out of the signal path, and ran the T+A DAC200 directly into the CJs as both DAC and preamp.  The improvement was surprising.  The upper midrange was now properly balanced against the other frequencies being delivered.  I listened for 3 hours last night and was quite impressed.  I can’t say that the low frequency performance improved to become comparable with the Krell.  But I still may be able to play with that through the RELs.  I’ll still need to listen a bit more broadly but this may be a winner.  

My next concern will be feeding analog signals from my Linn LP12.  While the T+A does not have a phono stage, it has Analog In RCAs.   I am hoping that the Rowland will still serve as a good phono preamp using its Tape Out RCAs.  It has always sounded great with low output moving coils.  More work ahead; this is like having a job.  

Again, I really appreciate having you guys as a sounding board.  I’m old enough that I no longer have friends who are audio equipment hobbyists.  

@sealegs this is where the listening to differences really becomes important. The transparency of a dac direct to amp(s) usually makes a very positive first impression. Taking time with this configuration is critical. What a good active preamp does for the system is it kind of lays everything out for you within the soundstage. The transparency and tone could be different as well depending on a quality of the preamp. What to watch out for in addition to tonal qualities, is the layering a d space in the soundstage. Again, take your time with this configuration. This is critical and at times not immediately obvious.