AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > MBL, dCS, Goldmund, Gryphon etc

MBL, dCS, Goldmund, Gryphon etc Ultra High End Equipment

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-08-2014, 12:15 AM
jax4736 jax4736 is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Washington DC, Metro area
Posts: 456
Default dCS Vivaldi with or without preamp?

Interested in feedback on this topic. Contemplating a Vivaldi stack in 2015, and have my eye on a good preamp too. I still want to use my analog sources....is the Vivaldi's sound harmed by the addition of a preamp- even a world class one?


Considering D'Agostino or Ayre KXR Twenty preamp.
__________________
System: Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon/DPC-6v2, Defender, Anaconda /Sigma power cords and interconnects, Linn LP12, Ayre P-5xe, dCS Vivaldi full stack, Ayre KX-R Twenty, Ayre MX-R Twenty, Wilson Alexia Series 2 Speakers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-08-2014, 05:24 PM
bvdiman's Avatar
bvdiman bvdiman is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 574
Default

Hi Jax, I had the chance to audition the Vivaldi stack some two years ago plugged direct into D'ag stereo amp and honestly that configuration did not totally convinced me to pull the trigger right then and there---Let's just say, not moved. Came back to that Dealer six months later when they had the partnering D'ag pre in, everything went much better! Unlike during first encounter, I was no longer in scrutinizing mode for any of those infamous audiophile stuffs, but simply sat down and savored the presentations which to me (and a friend--who ended up buying the dCS stack) were overall more musically involving, convincing and believable. So yes, imo, even with SOTA digital rig, a top-notch preamp can/do make a difference, for the better in most cases.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-08-2014, 06:24 PM
JCR's Avatar
JCR JCR is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 356
Default

Definitively with a pre-amp! Until recently i had the vivaldi stack and it played much better through a pre-amp. If you can afford both the dcs stack and a preamp, dont hesitate. Personally i never like a dac directly into the amps. Always sound more natural with a preamp.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-08-2014, 11:06 PM
TLi TLi is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 157
Default

I have the Vivaldi stack. Playing directly to amps will give you slightly better resolution. It can be a bit abrasive and dry at times. I use ARC reference 10 and prefer the sound with preamp over direct connection. I enjoy the music more with Ref 10.

Playing it direct makes me harder to fall into the music and forget the equipment. A tube based preamp should be a better match to Vivaldi.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-10-2014, 01:17 PM
jax4736 jax4736 is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Washington DC, Metro area
Posts: 456
Default

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm guess I'll keep with my original plan for the analog preamp & add the Vivaldi later. I can't justify the transport, as I have few SACD's and use a Mac laptop as my main source (backed by a QNAP NAS).

I simply like the flexibility of the analog preamp; I have analog sources like reel to reel tape and LP and am not really interested in moving to a 100% digital setup.
__________________
System: Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon/DPC-6v2, Defender, Anaconda /Sigma power cords and interconnects, Linn LP12, Ayre P-5xe, dCS Vivaldi full stack, Ayre KX-R Twenty, Ayre MX-R Twenty, Wilson Alexia Series 2 Speakers
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-10-2014, 04:54 PM
bvdiman's Avatar
bvdiman bvdiman is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 574
Default

Did snapped a pic during that first audition :
IMG-20121209-00610.jpg

On second, too busy helping friend negotiate price.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-11-2014, 08:54 AM
jfrech jfrech is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 397
Default

I'll have to agree with everyone above. A great preamp is welcome.

Speakers: Rockport Altair 2
Preamp: Robert Koda K10 Amp: Ayre MX-R
Cables: Transparent Opus MM2 Spkr, Opus Gen 5 Interconnect
Power Shunyata Triton/Typhon, Anaconda Zitron cords (x9)
Digital dCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport & Clock w/ Transparent Reference XL Digital cables
Phono: Grand Prix Monaco TT, Schroder LT arm, Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish & Lyra Atlas, Nagra VPS/VFS
Racks: Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 (x2)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-11-2014, 01:41 PM
Cincy2's Avatar
Cincy2 Cincy2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tampa Florida
Posts: 252
Default

Here is another opinion. I'm running the Vivaldi DAC/UpS/Clock without a pre-amp and love it. I only use a single input to the Vivaldi hardware - my Mac Mini. I don't play head banger music that might benefit from a pre-amp. Mostly classical and acoustic jazz. The lower output of the DAC (2VDC) is adequate for all I listen to. The sound is sublime. Would it be better with a pre-amp? I am not motivated to find out since the set up I have meets all me emotional needs.

Cincy
__________________
MSB Select II DAC
MSB M500 Monoblocks
Magico M3 Speakers
Magico Q-Sub 15 Subwoofers (2)
Transparent Opus Gen5 speaker cables and Interconnects
PS Audio P20 regenerator
Roon file management
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-11-2014, 02:46 PM
cma29's Avatar
cma29 cma29 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Columbia, Missouri, USA
Posts: 4,405
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cincy2 View Post
Here is another opinion. I'm running the Vivaldi DAC/UpS/Clock without a pre-amp and love it. I only use a single input to the Vivaldi hardware - my Mac Mini. I don't play head banger music that might benefit from a pre-amp. Mostly classical and acoustic jazz. The lower output of the DAC (2VDC) is adequate for all I listen to. The sound is sublime. Would it be better with a pre-amp? I am not motivated to find out since the set up I have meets all me emotional needs. Cincy


Sounds like you have good impedance matching between your DAC and your amps even when DAC signal is attenuated. In my view, that's the main advantage of a preamp (electrically speaking).

Last edited by cma29; 12-11-2014 at 03:30 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-12-2014, 08:22 AM
jfrech jfrech is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 397
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cma29 View Post


Sounds like you have good impedance matching between your DAC and your amps even when DAC signal is attenuated. In my view, that's the main advantage of a preamp (electrically speaking).
You know that is a good point you're making. Cincy is using Transparent cabling, it could be a reason he is getting excellent results going direct...


Speakers: Rockport Altair 2
Preamp: Robert Koda K10 Amp: Ayre MX-R
Cables: Transparent Opus MM2 Spkr, Opus Gen 5 Interconnect
Power Shunyata Triton/Typhon, Anaconda Zitron cords (x9)
Digital dCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport & Clock w/ Transparent Reference XL Digital cables
Phono: Grand Prix Monaco TT, Schroder LT arm, Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish & Lyra Atlas, Nagra VPS/VFS
Racks: Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 (x2)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:36 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video