Building a new system with Topping/Okto

[borosilikat]

Hello all!

I would like some advice, I am awaiting delivery on a pair of Martinlogan ESL X speakers, I currently do not have an amp,dac,pre-amp for them.

After doing a lot of reading on this forum I have decided on a pair of Topping B200s as my power amps.

I'd like some advice on whether to pair the B200s with either:

A Topping D900

A Topping D90III Discrete with a Pre90 pre-amp

An Okto dac8 Stereo with a Topping Pre90 pre-amp

Or any similarly performing combination of dac + pre-amp or dac with built-in pre-amp.

Do I understand correctly that pairing a dedicated DAC with a pre-amp could protect my speakers from volume spikes?

Do I also understand correctly that since the D900 has a built-in pre-amp I wouldn't need this with it and could therefore save myself the hassle of another device?

Cheers!

 

[staticV3]

Do I understand correctly that pairing a dedicated DAC with a pre-amp could protect my speakers from volume spikes?

Yes, if the alternative to the dedicated Preamp would be to use the DAC's internal Preamp feature, and said preamp feature malfunctions.

Do I also understand correctly that since the D900 has a built-in pre-amp I wouldn't need this with it and could therefore save myself the hassle of another device?

The D900's Preamp is digitally controlled and as such, technically could malfunction as well.

 

[Thighsofsteel]

The A70 pro pre amp/headphone amp and a D70 pro octo Dac.

 

[borosilikat]

Yes, if the alternative to the dedicated Preamp would be to use the DAC's internal Preamp feature, and said preamp feature malfunctions.


The D900's Preamp is digitally controlled and as such, technically could malfunction as well.

Which DAC would you recommend be paired with the B200 and Pre90?

The A70 pro pre amp/headphone amp and a D70 pro octo Dac.

Why these specifically?

 

[Thighsofsteel]

Why these specifically?

They are fully transparent and very good value for money.

 

[staticV3]

Which DAC would you recommend be paired with the B200 and Pre90?

E50 II.

Has onboard PEQ for controlling room modes, as well as very high output voltage so that you can use lower gain downstream.