T+A DAC 200 Burn-in

@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. 

@sealegs 

There are a few others on this forum who use the T+A DAC200 directly into their amplifiers. Checkout @benzman system.

One thing I did not want to bring up earlier, lest you think of me as a DAC 200 fanboy was this:

Through the DAC200, I get the same low frequency thump in just about everything I play.

I am not sure if this is the DAC's problem. If this was so, quite many people here and other forums would have complained about it. In fact, in my system, after replacing my Parasound amplifier with a Accuphase amplifier the tone and harmonics are so nicely reproduced by the DAC+amp combination, that it is becoming very difficult for me to end my listening sessions. 

The only guess I can make is that your DAC and preamp are 30+ year old and match each other very well, the way T+A is not matching the preamp. I am wondering how the low frequency sounds, now that you are using the T+A as a preamp.

@milpai 

Through the DAC200, I get the same low frequency thump in just about everything I play.

I found this comment odd as well

I am not sure if this is the DAC's problem. If this was so, quite many people here and other forums would have complained about it. 

It certainly didn't happen in my system either, but I was thinking he is not used to a tight bass, rather the looser woolier variety (?)

The only guess I can make is that your DAC and preamp are 30+ year old and match each other very well, the way T+A is not matching the preamp. I am wondering how the low frequency sounds, now that you are using the T+A as a preamp.

Totally agree, was thinking the same thing about that whole synergy concept. Or could it be an impedance mismatch between the DAC and the preamp? I haven't heard of this, usually one hears about this with a pre and the amp. Maybe the high output of the DAC had the old preamp in too low a range? 

@audphile1 alluded to this above also: 

there’s always a ripple effect.

But @sealegs explained an unwillingness to make significant changes

 Of course, the faults/issues may well lie in the rest of my stereo system.  But I am not looking to get back into that race.

But you did take the DAC 200 for a test drive for a reason. Decisions, decisions! 

And keep in mind if that is the first time the pre amp circuit has been engaged it will improve with use, just like the DAC guts. 

Not sure if your CJ monos have balanced inputs but try to use them if you can. The Dac 200 is a balanced design and I am having excellent results using an Iconoclast UPOCC Gen 2 cable. 
I also recently installed the HDMI card and getting DSD from SACD from an OPPO 103 player. 
The only drawback in using it as a pre is you get slight relay noise with volume adjustments and the steps are a little large vs a dedicated pre. 
Of course sub integration can be another concern. 
I believe the preamp section is as good as the preamp section built in the fine Coda CSiB which I sold. 

@audphile1 ​​@milpai ​​@mclinnguy , @benzman 

Thanks again for your additional comments and suggestions.  They have been very helpful.

lest you think of me as a DAC 200 fanboy

I appreciate your comments because you have had such positive experiences with your DAC200.

I am wondering how the low frequency sounds, now that you are using the T+A as a preamp.

I still believe the Krell provides better presentation of bass frequencies.  But I have not been switching back and forth between them.  It’s not a deciding factor.  I pulled out some bass heavy tracks (Morph the Cat, Speedway at Nazareth) and they rock really well.  I am becoming pretty happy with the bass response using the DAC200 as DAC and preamp.  

but I was thinking he is not used to a tight bass, rather the looser woolier variety (?)

Definitely.  I have been concerned about how much bass is correct and where to crossover since I’ve never had great bass reproduction in my system.  I keep working at it.  I think I’m getting the RELs set up pretty well.  

Maybe the high output of the DAC had the old preamp in too low a range? 

That was the exact question that led me to take the Rowland out of the signal path.  The DAC200 has a 2.5V output and my Krell’s output is 2.0V.  Even with the Krell, I use the Rowland volume very little.  With the DAC200, I barely use any of the amplification capabilities of the Rowland.  So, I was essentially using the Rowland at preamplilfication levels that I’ve never used before.  The comparison was not apples to apples.  @audphile1  actually did not suggest taking the Rowland out of the path.  He suggested that with a Meitner MA3i (3.0V output) that I could attenuate the signal level using its preamp function rather than relying on its line level output. I haven’t tried that yet with the DAC200, but I intend to try this afternoon (it’s cold and rainy out today).

Not sure if your CJ monos have balanced inputs but try to use them if you can.

The CJs only have RCA inputs.  I’m quite happy with my interconnects which are only 1.5M.

I believe the preamp section is as good as the preamp section built in the fine Coda CSiB which I sold. 

So, I tried playing my Linn LP12 using the Rowland as a phono preamp feeding the DAC200’s Analog Input.  It sounded great, just like I recall having the Rowland play analog directly into the CJ amps.  I don’t own much music on both records and CDs.   But the stuff I played was still excellent from records.  

Thanks again for your comments.