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DAC/Preamp quandry

I used to have a great group of friends, most with very nice equipment, much better than mine.  They were mostly older than I, but also had more money to put into their systems.  But now, all who were in this circle have either moved away or passed away.  And since I have no dealers within about 200 miles of me, I've found myself leaning much on the opinions in this group and of course the normal AS and SP reviewers. 

Here's the background.  In the mid 90's I upgraded my system to Vandersteen 2CIi, McCormack 0.5, which has been upgraded with new a power supply and boards. I also have a Marantz CD player.  I am a retired electrical engineer and built my own preamp.  It was a temporary endeavor but turned out to last longer than I planned.  I've been pretty absent from the audio scene for the above reasons - however, since streaming has entered the scene, I've decided to move in that direction and upgrade a few things.  I'd like to continue to use the McCormack amp and the speakers while stepping into the new to me streaming/preamp world. 

I was just about to order the Wiim Ultra, and then a preamp.  I am considering the Schiit Kara F or possibly the Freya+ F  

However, while waiting a few weeks on a supposedly WIIM Amazon prime sale, I'm reconsidering (I do this a lot).  I've been reading about the Eversolo A6 and A8 and I'm wondering if I'm compromising myself.  I would have about the same dollar amount in the A6 Masters Edition as the Ultra and one of the Schiits.  The A8 is about $800-$1200 more than I was planning on spending, but I might be convinced to go that direction if the full streamer/DAC/Preamp combo satisfied my needs, likely for a long time. 

I'd love to be able to compare these combos for at least a few days, but that can't happen.  So, if you have some experience with these products and what might make sense for my current and possibly future needs, please feel free to comment.

 

 

 

 

  

scooterbug
gkelly's avatar
gkelly
1,042 posts
 

Get the WIIM if you’re dipping your toes into streaming. Then set your sights on something like this https://share.google/W3eRcIA0jJONBRvP6. Save until there is a bonfire 🔥 burning a hole in your pockets, and get the best streamer you can get. It can get pretty magical 🧙‍♂️ with sound. Good luck 🍀!

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,962 posts
 

I've been with CD Source for more than ten years, and for eight years using a standalone CDT > DAC. 

Very recently, I decided to take the plunge and look at making changes to the Digital Source, which has led me to DAC's.

For your own purposes, there are DAC's now available with a 'built-in' Pre-Amp. There is review information that suggests built-in Pre's are quite capable on certain DAC models. 

The following is the result of a search on your behalf:

 

Top DACs with Preamplifier Functionality

1. Entry-Level / Desktop

  • Topping DX3 Pro+: A highly regarded, budget-friendly DAC/Amp that doubles as a preamp. It features an ES9038Q2M DAC and Bluetooth support.
  • FiiO K11 R2R: A compact desktop unit featuring a fully differential resistor array for a warm, organic sound, with switchable NOS/OS modes and pre-amp volume control.

2. Mid-Range

  • Emotiva XDA-3: A fully balanced reference DAC and analog preamplifier. It includes dedicated analog inputs, an upgraded volume control architecture, and an excellent headphone amp.
  • Fosi Audio ZH3: An all-in-one desktop device offering balanced circuits, EQ controls, and multiple outputs perfect for driving power amps or active speakers.

3. High-End

  • Chord DAVE: A reference-level FPGA DAC that operates as a standalone preamp, offering massive detail, multiple digital inputs, and high-impedance headphone compatibility. 
  • DAC 200: Known for incredible separation and build quality, this unit pairs a high-res discrete DAC with a fully analogue, high-end preamplifier section.

Important Considerations

  • Digital vs Analogue Volume: Many entry-level DACs use "digital volume control," which reduces bit depth at low volumes. If you want uncompromised dynamic range, look for units with dedicated analogue resistor ladder volume controls. 
  • Input Flexibility: Check if the device has analogue inputs (like RCA or XLR). Many DACs only have digital inputs (USB, Coax, Optical), so if you want to connect a turntable or CD player, you need a DAC with true analogue pass-through. 
  • Community Consensus: Enthusiasts on platforms generally agree that high-end, purpose-built DAC-Preamps can effectively replace a traditional analogue preamp, provided impedance matching is carefully managed. 

 

ctlesq's avatar
ctlesq
82 posts
 

I think @gkelly makes a very fair suggestion.  The Wiim products are very well reviewed and people love them.  
While I cannot speak to your specific Eversolo products, I have the T8 and the Z10.  I really like them.  So far zero issues.  Critically important to me is the ability to side load apps - specifically SiriusXM.  

The app you use to interface with the streamer is very important.  The Eversolo app  is really good.  Depending on your streaming service you may be able stream directly to the device which does make the devices streaming system a little less important though.  
 

Good luck!
 

argonsteele's avatar
argonsteele
38 posts
 

i don’t know about your area, but in LA there are lots of new WiiM ultra’s listed on facebook for less than 250.  I’m thinking of picking one up for my father-in-law who streams all day with just his laptop's headphone jack into a beautiful tube/horn system I helped him put together.  If he wants to upgrade later, let him, but for that cheap an entry point into network streaming DAC I don’t see how you can go wrong. 

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