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DAC with a good preamplifier 500€

jaro911

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Jan 30, 2020
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Hello.
I would like to ask for your advice. I'm looking for a balanced DAC with a good preamplifier function, which I would connect directly to my final amplifier with an XLR cable. Price level around €500.
My candidates are:
- SMSL M500mk3
- SMSL SU 9 Pro

Thank you.
 
Last edited:

solderdude

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Any will be fine... There is no 'best' one. There could be a 'better choice' one based on functionality, connectivity, looks, ease of use, price, availability.
Sound-wise they will be indistinguishable from each other.
Which amplifier (or input sensitivity data) ?
 

Rednaxela

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Please switch off your auto translator. You may think you’re posting in English but you’re not.

Thanks!
 
OP
J

jaro911

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I'm currently using a Topping E30 rca to xlr in the power amplifier and in preamplifier mode it sounds worse than a direct dac that's why I'm asking if these dacs have a better quality preamplifier.
 

Berwhale

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I'm currently using a Topping E30 rca to xlr in the power amplifier and in preamplifier mode it sounds worse than a direct dac that's why I'm asking if these dacs have a better quality preamplifier.

I think any degradation in audio quality is more likely to be due to RCA to XLR conversion, rather than the pre-amplifier capability of the E30.

In any case, I use a Topping EX5 as both a headphone amplifier and balanced pre-amplifier for my active monitors and it works extremely well in this roll.
 
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