I have been running a purely analogue amplification setup—a Linn Kairn Pre to Linn Klout Amp (driving a pair of Linn 140s).
The amplification combo were hand-me downs and I have thoroughly enjoyed the sound from the setup. The Klout is a beautiful beast. My two sources have been a turntable via a Cambridge 551P phono stage on the digital side an AppleTV for Apple Music/Airplay/Bluetooth. The AppleTV connects to the Kairn via headphone-out on my TV.
I briefly borrowed a Linn Sneaky network player. However I hardly used it due the average user interface and the requisite amount of faffing around with a network, NAS, etc. Apple Music/AppleTV gave a user experience and access to music that outweighed the audio benefits of the Sneaky system.
I've long realised the weak point in the system is the embarrassing use of the DAC via the TV. I had been eyeing off the PS Audio Stella Gain DAC. It has all the inputs I need (USB, COAX, HDMI, etc) and looked like it would suitably replace the Kairn. In my research into this DAC/Pre I came across this site which immediately changed my mind on the product.
Instead, after reading through the reviews here on ASR, I have purchased a Topping D50s which runs utterly beautifully with the Klout. Everything sounds cleaner, clearer, more defined. It is quite simply better than I could have imagined. So thanks to ASR for the hot tip!
Ok, that was a long intro...
Now that the digital side is literally singing, I'm stuck as to how to get my turntable back into the system.
I'm considering a Schiit SYS to switch between the D50s and phono (and allow attenuation for the phono). But all this talk about input/output impedance has me thoroughly confused.
My question is: would a Cambridge Audio 551P Phono > Schiit SYS > Linn Klout work ok? Am I going to get sufficient volume from this setup?
FYI the Klout has input impedance of 5k ohms.
Alternatively I could look towards a phono stage with a digital out (making use of the COAX on the D50s) —however the simplicity of a passive setup appeals to me.
Open to any suggestions.
The amplification combo were hand-me downs and I have thoroughly enjoyed the sound from the setup. The Klout is a beautiful beast. My two sources have been a turntable via a Cambridge 551P phono stage on the digital side an AppleTV for Apple Music/Airplay/Bluetooth. The AppleTV connects to the Kairn via headphone-out on my TV.
I briefly borrowed a Linn Sneaky network player. However I hardly used it due the average user interface and the requisite amount of faffing around with a network, NAS, etc. Apple Music/AppleTV gave a user experience and access to music that outweighed the audio benefits of the Sneaky system.
I've long realised the weak point in the system is the embarrassing use of the DAC via the TV. I had been eyeing off the PS Audio Stella Gain DAC. It has all the inputs I need (USB, COAX, HDMI, etc) and looked like it would suitably replace the Kairn. In my research into this DAC/Pre I came across this site which immediately changed my mind on the product.
Instead, after reading through the reviews here on ASR, I have purchased a Topping D50s which runs utterly beautifully with the Klout. Everything sounds cleaner, clearer, more defined. It is quite simply better than I could have imagined. So thanks to ASR for the hot tip!
Ok, that was a long intro...
Now that the digital side is literally singing, I'm stuck as to how to get my turntable back into the system.
I'm considering a Schiit SYS to switch between the D50s and phono (and allow attenuation for the phono). But all this talk about input/output impedance has me thoroughly confused.
My question is: would a Cambridge Audio 551P Phono > Schiit SYS > Linn Klout work ok? Am I going to get sufficient volume from this setup?
FYI the Klout has input impedance of 5k ohms.
Alternatively I could look towards a phono stage with a digital out (making use of the COAX on the D50s) —however the simplicity of a passive setup appeals to me.
Open to any suggestions.