TubeDAC as a pre-amp: options

[Rockyhill]

I'm considering the TubeDAC to be used as a pre-amp (to a ST-35). What would be options to a) add tone controls (ideally treble-mid-bass) and, b) add phono input? DIY would be last option, would prefer off-the-shelf solution.

Thanks

 

[iGrant]

I'm considering the TubeDAC to be used as a pre-amp (to a ST-35). What would be options to a) add tone controls (ideally treble-mid-bass) and, b) add phono input? DIY would be last option, would prefer off-the-shelf solution.

Thanks

I'd be looking for a tube pre, I really liked theDynaco PAS-3 and even 4, both I think had nice phonostages built in, the tone controls were great (used them both in the studio for EQ!) and then put the TubeDAC in front of that for digital.

Another option is P-307 as a PhonoStage and actually any SS phono-stage should be improved when plugged into the TubeDAC-09's AUX input.

I wouldn't be running an eq after the TubeDAC, but that is just me.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[voltcontrol]

Like Igrant states, get a pre-amp that has those features to supplement the DAC.

 

[Banana1]

I'm considering the TubeDAC to be used as a pre-amp (to a ST-35). What would be options to a) add tone controls (ideally treble-mid-bass) and, b) add phono input? DIY would be last option, would prefer off-the-shelf solution.

Thanks

I'm using a DAC09 as a pre-amp. I run a digital cable from a Denon CD player to the DAC09 and from the tube output of the DAC09 to my Yamaha SS receiver. I listen to everything in Pure Direct to avoid noise. To supplement the base, I connect a sub-woofer to the speaker B output. I can then play with the volume control on the sub-woofer to adjust the amount of base. I also use the cross-over frequency setting in my receiver to vary the mid range.

 

[iGrant]

Someone about a month ago brought in an expensive $6k current production tube pre-amp (unnamed because I like the product line), after him deciding the Shuguang (about $700) and ShengYa (about $2.5k) bested his pre (on the Shuguang S845MK monoblocks and my RBS-1 speakers, you mileage may vary) we hooked up the TubeDAC-09 (analog in) as the pre and it sounded identical to his pre to the 5 or so in the room at the time including his friends who promised to laugh all the way home.

The TubeDAC-09 was the pre I used with the retired ShengYa 150 mono-blocks and my MBS-1 speakers that Sterophile wrote sounded more musical than systems costing 30 times the price at the California Audio Show last year and that was with the stock 6N3 tube.

It is well worth it to try the TubeDAC-09 as a pre in your system, you may be pleasantly surprised and it has a DAC built in to boot

Cheer,
Ian

 

[njDan]

It is well worth it to try the TubeDAC-09 as a pre in your system, you may be pleasantly surprised and it has a DAC built in to boot

Cheer,
Ian

Novice question here. When used as a preamp, the 09 still functions as a Dac, yes?

 

[Sound Dragon]

Yep, it still works as a Dac.