I'm considering setting up another room for music, and due to left-over components available, might have a power amp I can use and a Raspberry Pi, but no preamp.
I was idly musing about buying a DAC for this system that would handle preamp duties also. I believe the RME ADI-2 FS can do this, and also the Matrix Mini I Pro 3, and the Topping D90. Any others at a similar price point?
I'd be really interested to hear from anyone who does this. In particular, my concern is that if for some reason the digital gubbins decides to go for max volume, I could get a terrible shock (unlikely with an analogue potentiometer). Also, presumably the attenuation is occurring in the digital domain, so are you sacrificing quality at lower volumes?
Anyway, definitely interested to hear any real world experience.
In particular, my concern is that if for some reason the digital gubbins decides to go for max volume, I could get a terrible shock (unlikely with an analogue potentiometer).
I sent mine backIf you like a slightly warm sound and vocal centric, can recommend the Gustard X16
Mytek Manhattan II here too, but if you just want digital, the RME is excellent and a lot cheaper (but no analogue preamp section). I have used two Mytek DACs and the RME without any additional preamp and have never had any "unfortunate" incidents. I did and still use the analogue volume controls in the Myteks, however (but these are electronically controlled). The RME has a hybrid analogue/digital volume control, which behaved faultlessly .
I had it happen with a Brooklyn running as a preamp. I don’t know what setting I accidentally pushed, but I got Max volume for a second. My heart stopped but my drivers somehow survived
I’ve used the Project S2 Digital prebox too. It’s fine as a preamp, but I knew it wasn’t a keeper in that spot. I like it a lot as a DAC, though. I just thought it was a little sterile as a pre.
Thought I would try my schiit eitr into dac magic using the balanced cables to amp from dac..full volume for one second too..leema speakers survived! Lol...I might bring the dac magic back into the main kit using the eitr as the spdif/ usb converter...just to see how good it actually is? I took it out of my main kit years ago before I streamed music and before I realised what a difference a spdif/ usb converter can make..I had it happen with a Brooklyn running as a preamp. I don’t know what setting I accidentally pushed, but I got Max volume for a second. My heart stopped but my drivers somehow survived
I’ve used the Project S2 Digital prebox too. It’s fine as a preamp, but I knew it wasn’t a keeper in that spot. I like it a lot as a DAC, though. I just thought it was a little sterile as a pre.
I had it happen with a Brooklyn running as a preamp. I don’t know what setting I accidentally pushed, but I got Max volume for a second. My heart stopped but my drivers somehow survived
I’ve used the Project S2 Digital prebox too. It’s fine as a preamp, but I knew it wasn’t a keeper in that spot. I like it a lot as a DAC, though. I just thought it was a little sterile as a pre.