joncourage Wrote: > If the only music source I intend to use is SB3 -> DAC, is there any > need for a pre-amp given that I can control the volume in the SB3 > software?
Just to be clear, there's two options here: 1 - skip the DAC and use the SB's analog outputs direct to an amp. The SB has been shown to have enough output to drive power amps, and even provides the "preamp volume control" attenuation feature to make tuning the output level easy. 2 - use an external DAC as you mention above. Then the whole scenario depends on the output of the DAC, not the SB. You'd need to find out if your chosen DAC's analog output can drive the amp directly. In this case you'd use the "digital volume" control to set the volume level. The digital volume control does not have the preamp attentuation feature. I've been using DAC's into integrated amps up until my JVC 202 blew up last week. With that piece sent back for repairs I am now running my SB's analog inputs direct into the stereo amp inputs of my Ampeg SVT-4PRO which is something like 500 wpc into 4ohms. It is working fine and the sound is nice, but I have to admit it is a bit stressful knowing that if anything goes wrong (i.e. white noise) that my speakers will likely be toasted. I have not tried running my dac into the Ampeg yet, but I suppose that would be the logical comparison. I guess I am just scared. :) -Dan -- dwc ------------------------------------------------------------------------ dwc's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1892 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21165 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
