DAC replacing preamp
 

I have been out of the loop audio knowledge-wise for a while, (assuming I had any to begin with), but I recall 10 years ago I heard some of the integrated pre-amps in a few CD players, such as Linn's and Levinson's 390, and although many claimed "in theory" it should sound better, I found, along with most others, that there was a clear improvement adding a pre-amp into the signal chain.

Are the DAC's any better these days as pre-amps? Has anybody replaced their pre-amp with the stage in their DAC with no sonic degradation?

Most pre-amps have a digital to analog converter in them to convert the digital inputs from digital sources into analog signals. I would not presume to use a stand alone DAC as a pre-amp as the input sources are limited, most do not have analog inputs and a DAC by its very nature was designed to convert signals, not manage a system.

Having said all that, I would propose that a good pre-amp is essential to managing a system and providing high quality analog signals to the amplifier(s). And a good DAC, whether a stand alone unit or integrated in the pre-amp, is essential to converting those digital signals.

I am currently running my rig using a MSB Analog with volume pot (and power base) instead of my other pre-amps ( arc ref 3 & ayre kx5) because of heat issues with the Australian summer.

They all sound great to my ears, as they should at this level, with the only differences being in presentation, but as always YMMV.

Hope this helps.

I've tried both the DAC as preamp and an actual preamp with the same DAC attached to the preamp. I strongly prefer the preamp because sources, including the DAC, sound better when the volume is controlled by the preamp.

However, I liked the DAC direct connected, I just like it better when using the preamp volume circuit. When you consider the cost of the preamp vs the improvement realized, I could agree with the argument that the improvement might not be enough for some folks to justify the cost. For me, I have decided that the sonic improvement and the phono line stage circuit are worth it. The components to which I'm referring are: DAC - Bel Canto 2.7 | preamp: Mark Levinson No. 523.