DAC or 2 channel preamp
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Most stand alone dac's do not have volume control on them, so you will most likely still need the Parasound pre-amp. Having a stand-alone DAC has a good chance of improving your sound quality, even when used with the Parasound pre-amp you mentioned.
If the DAC you want has volume control, then you would not need an external pre-amp unless you wanted the additional source inputs.
Source --> DAC --> Pre-amp --> Amplifier --> Speaker
Most stand alone dac's do not have volume control on them, so you will most likely still need the Parasound pre-amp. Having a stand-alone DAC has a good chance of improving your sound quality, even when used with the Parasound pre-amp you mentioned.
If the DAC you want has volume control, then you would not need an external pre-amp unless you wanted the additional source inputs.
Source --> DAC --> Pre-amp --> Amplifier --> Speaker
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What receiver are you using? That's key information we need.
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Perhaps he wants to set it up as a 2.1 system with HT bypass.
Pioneer --> Parasound --> Amp --> Speaker
Source --> DAC --> Parasound
Perhaps he wants to set it up as a 2.1 system with HT bypass.
Pioneer --> Parasound --> Amp --> Speaker
Source --> DAC --> Parasound
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258 Posts
You certainly can, but just know that many AVR's out there will convert the analog input back into digital, therefore negating the benefits of having the DAC.
It is my recommendation that if you are wanting to get the most out of a DAC, you get the Parasound pre-amp and plug the DAC into that, and bypass the AVR for 2 channel listening.
But either way "will" work.
You certainly can, but just know that many AVR's out there will convert the analog input back into digital, therefore negating the benefits of having the DAC.
It is my recommendation that if you are wanting to get the most out of a DAC, you get the Parasound pre-amp and plug the DAC into that, and bypass the AVR for 2 channel listening.
But either way "will" work.
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I'm not familiar with that particular AVR, but don't most good ones these days offer a "direct" 2-channel circuit to bypass all the HT electronics on-board? That's why I asked why he wouldn't just go source, to dac, to that "direct" input. To me...again, unless I'm missing something here...to buy a 2-channel pre, just to run it into an AVR is crazy; the AVR is just going to process whatever signal comes out of the 2-channel pre anyway.
Like these guys say, if anything...I guess run a 2-channel pre around the AVR; but if it were my money, I'd just get a different AVR...one that would do a nice 2-channel direct...and call it even.
CD
I'm not familiar with that particular AVR, but don't most good ones these days offer a "direct" 2-channel circuit to bypass all the HT electronics on-board? That's why I asked why he wouldn't just go source, to dac, to that "direct" input. To me...again, unless I'm missing something here...to buy a 2-channel pre, just to run it into an AVR is crazy; the AVR is just going to process whatever signal comes out of the 2-channel pre anyway.
Like these guys say, if anything...I guess run a 2-channel pre around the AVR; but if it were my money, I'd just get a different AVR...one that would do a nice 2-channel direct...and call it even.
CD
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258 Posts
Just because it says "direct" doesn't mean that the signal does not get converted to digital again. Too often all direct mode means is that it doesn't get eq'd or have other processing done, but it is still in the digital circuit. Just depends on the model. Some of them do an a/d conversion for the analog inputs, some of them don't. If the volume control is done digitally, you know that all the inputs are converted to digital.
If the AVR does not do an a/d conversion and offers a true direct mode (no processing or eq), then yes, you could put the dac in between the source and AVR and have good results in improving your sound.
Perhaps someone with that model AVR can chime in and let the OP know how it works.
Most systems that I have seen and heard typically have the 2 channel dac and pre-amp inserted after the AVR in the signal path for optimum 2 channel listening.
Just because it says "direct" doesn't mean that the signal does not get converted to digital again. Too often all direct mode means is that it doesn't get eq'd or have other processing done, but it is still in the digital circuit. Just depends on the model. Some of them do an a/d conversion for the analog inputs, some of them don't. If the volume control is done digitally, you know that all the inputs are converted to digital.
If the AVR does not do an a/d conversion and offers a true direct mode (no processing or eq), then yes, you could put the dac in between the source and AVR and have good results in improving your sound.
Perhaps someone with that model AVR can chime in and let the OP know how it works.
Most systems that I have seen and heard typically have the 2 channel dac and pre-amp inserted after the AVR in the signal path for optimum 2 channel listening.
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Standalone DACs w/ volume control (some with remote):
Lavry
Benchmark
Peachtree Nova (integrated dac pre)
Eastern Electric
Wavelength
to name a few
DC
Lavry
Benchmark
Peachtree Nova (integrated dac pre)
Eastern Electric
Wavelength
to name a few
DC
I believe my Denon has inputs that bypass the a to d to a conversion that some AVRs will do. (At least that is what I was told at the Denon thread.) There is a 7.1 ext in on the Denons. You can use the FR/FL inputs on the ex in for two channel as opposed to the cd or dvd inputs which do go through a a to d to a conversion.
I believe my Denon has inputs that bypass the a to d to a conversion that some AVRs will do. (At least that is what I was told at the Denon thread.) There is a 7.1 ext in on the Denons. You can use the FR/FL inputs on the ex in for two channel as opposed to the cd or dvd inputs which do go through a a to d to a conversion.
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