A dac that works as pre amp?

[Sabaselfsit]

Looking for a dac that will work good as a pre also. Need 2 optical inputs, coax and usb from computer - and it has to be able to play MQA from Tidal. I don't need analog inputs and phono input.

Another concern is that I should magnify the signal like a traditional pre amp. Beresford or even my current Marantz HD-DAC1 don't really have enough signal out to drive my power amp enough even with volume at max.

[Macca]

What's the power amp and what's the budget for the DAC?

[Sabaselfsit]

The power amp is Hitachi HMA-8500 Mk II (rca input 47 kΩ, 1 V RMS).

Don't really have a budget. But let's say up to £ 1000 maybe.

[Macca]

1V is pretty standard. Any DAC with digital volume control should be okay then. Needing 2 optical inputs and MQA decoding narrows down the options quite a bit though.

[camtwister]

The Meridian Ultra DAC has everything that you desire.
And so it should because it costs more than a new Ford Fiesta.


The Mytek Liberty DAC can juggle with MQA and has all of your input requirements bar one.
I can't comment on the pre-amp quality.


The audiolab M-DAC has all of your input specifications and has a good pre-amp section.
It will not digest MQA.
However, you could use a BlueSound Node 2i to decode Tidal with MQA and feed this into the M-DAC.
(The maximum resolution/sample rate in this case will be 24bit/96kHz.)
This will be around your budget limit if you buy new - but you can pick these up second-hand readily.

[Poldark]

I'm no great expert but my Beresford Caiman SEG/Dorado II runs into a Mission 777BU and drives as loud as anyone could need in a residential setting.

Even when SWMBO goes out and I have a Black Sabbath moment (got to be done!) I've still never had the volume beyond 50%

Sent from my motorola one using Tapatalk

[Sabaselfsit]

@ Poldark; I agree - I have no problem getting decent volume levels close to max with the dac alone. The Marantz HD-DAC1 dac I have put out 2,3V RMS maximum. But I found I get a much more smooth volume sweep by using the fixed output on the dac and adding a separate pre amp in between the dac and power amp. The sound also sound more full and lively at low volume levels this way. I solved this with a simple chinese made pre that is based of the legendary Marantz SC-7S2 pre amp circuit. One input, one output and a volume controll.

It looks and feels very well made with Elna and Nichicon caps + Alps volume pot. The left and right amplifier circuits are independent of the line. Power filter with 10000UF*2+ voltage regulator, transformer with full sealed shield potting.

https://i.postimg.cc/SsMZWm4h/Pre1.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/wTVw5WC7/Pre2.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/GmXSRMKZ/Pre3.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/FsmPLtnM/Pre4.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/j26ZFvC3/Pre5.jpg

This is a great combination, and it sounds fantastic to my ears. But now I am considering using this dac and pre amp in a different setup, and therefore on the lookout for a new "all in one" dac/pre combination that also can get me into the MQA world.

Maybe the NAD C658 would be the solution? :hmm:

[Macca]

.

Maybe the NAD C658 would be the solution? :hmm:

It ticks all your boxes. The DAC is not state of the art but I wouldn't worry about that. You get DIRAC too.

[Sabaselfsit]

Thanks guys for your different input. Came to a conclusion and have just ordered the Teac NT-505. It has 2 optical inputs (one 'normal' at the back and a Mini Toslink-Toslink on the front panel), coax, bluetooh and usb + MQA decoder. It's also supposed to be a good pre amp with up to 6v RMS out on rca (just what I was looking for). :)

[camtwister]

Hi Andre,

Why did you choose the Teac over the NAD?
Just curious!

[Sabaselfsit]

Hi Andre,

Why did you choose the Teac over the NAD?
Just curious!

Hi Johnny. Only aesthetic reason really. The Nad had a plastic front and looked little bit cheap for the price, and the master series M12 with a bluesound module seemed a little over the top in terms of price just to get a beautiful exterior. Also found a persuasive review of the Teac online.

https://www.lbtechreviews.com/test/hi-fi/teac-nt-505

[marf53]

Hi Andre, You could have tried the Matrix Audio Mini-i 3 too. Although it has only one optical input it has a headphone amp and most of the other stuff you wanted.

[Sabaselfsit]

Hi Andre, You could have tried the Matrix Audio Mini-i 3 too. Although it has only one optical input it has a headphone amp and most of the other stuff you wanted.

Hi Paul. The screen looks nice on that thing. :carrot: I see it has output amplitude of "only" 2.0VRMS, but otherwise looks good, thanks.