DAC or DAC with 2 channel preamp

[adamrut]

I was hoping to get some advice to determine if I should keep my Primaluna Dialogue Three Preamplifier. I have used to have my TT, SACD player, and DAC all though the pre however I have sold the TT and SACD player and only using the DAC and don't think I will ever go back to those other sources.

Is there any benefits, acoustically by keeping the Pre-Amp?

Also, any amp recommendations with my setup or do you think the Emotiva XPA-2 is fine?

Current Setup:

Comp -> Wyred4Sound Dac-2 -> Primaluna Dialogue Three Preamplifier -> Emotiva XPA-2 -> Martin Logan Spires

New Setup:

Comp -> Wyred4Sound Dac-2 -> Emotiva XPA-2 -> Martin Logan Spires

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cherian]

Why not try it out both ways and let your ears decide? I feel every piece of equipment colors the sound in some way. Some are more pleasing than others.

 

[Bernard]

If you eliminated the preamp and at a later date wanted to change your DAC, you'd be constrained to looking for another DAC with a volume control, or buying another preamp.

 

[timm]

Yes definitely try it both ways but my hunch is that you will miss the pre. I think that pre will warm up and round out the sound and the wyred4sound is known for its detail as are your spires. I know someone that did get rid of his pre and went directly out from his wadia cdp to his amp. Later he said he missed some of the color his pre gave him. Let us know what u prefer when u try it.

 

[adamrut]

Thanks everyone for your input! After listening for several hours last night both ways, I think timm is correct. The sound is more warm and much fuller with the preamp, might be due to the tubes. Bernard made a good point if I do ever replace the DAC, I will have to get another pre. ITS STAYING!

 

[timm]

Cool -- hey - one other thing I wanted to mention... that prima luna pre..... I was considering it and I have a Sunfire Signature amp and I believe the impedance is similar to your XPA (low).... Kevin from UpscaleAudio told me that he didn't think the prima luna would be a good impedance match with my sunfire.... He thought it would cut off the high end.... So, if you do go looking for another tubed pre at some point - pay attention to the impedance of your amp and do some due dilligence regarding the amp/pre match..... I ended up getting a cary slp-98p.... But I do hear excellent things about that prima luna - that is what I was going to get if he hadn't steered me in another direction..

 

[Speedskater]

I see the Emotiva XPA-2 specs:
Input impedance:
unbalanced: 23.5kohms
balanced: 33kohm
These seem to be typical specs for modern equipment.
Why didn't Primaluna design for typical amps?

 

[timm]

take a look at the primaluna amps ... I believe the prologue series is somewhere around 100K ohm impedence.... not sure about their dialogue series... I think it is a tube thing... because I 'think' you will find many tube amps to be higher... I am not an electronics guru ... but you will find many tube pre amps a bit particular about the impedence matching... Had never heard of it or thought of it before I started looking for a tube pre.... and I think those numbers are actually on the low side if you look at most amps... My sunfire I believe is 40Kohms - which again, is on the low side ... I think... I'm not saying anything negative about it -- just saying that is the design of the amp... I was told my Cary pre is very accepting of lower loads such as what I have on my sunfire... I had started a thread on this and I think if you search on impedence (sp??) I think you will find it... We had some people chime in with calculations .. on how to determine a good impedence match and what might be a good rule of thumb...

As an edit -- there is a review of the prologue 3 I believe in an old Absolute Sound or Stereophile - where they suggest running it paired with an amp with at least 50K ohm impedence...