The modern Preamp quandary...

[Carlton80@0]

Possible option that is available ready made or DIY. Many ROON users have found various source integration solutions.

rooExtend® EXTENSION BOX FÜR ROON

Extend roon with things you love. rooExtend erweitert den Musikserver Roon in den Bereichen Zuspielung, Steuerung und Wiedergabe um vielerlei Funktionen.

shop.rooextend.com

4 phono option: https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/adept

 

[freefone0800]

Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer and balanced DAC. It was sent to me by the company. I don't have the price but see it on sale for US $850. The DMP-A6 design is absolutely gorgeous. A large, high contrast LCD allows it to show realistic visualizations...

www.audiosciencereview.com

This would cover most of your needs. Streamer, Roon, digital inputs, remote volume and ready to feed your power amp. What is not covered is analog straight thru bypass and no phono.

I'd suggest something like this be added for phono:

Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Audio Interface Reviewed and Measured

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 Version 2 Audio Interface (analog to digital converter). It is on kind loan from a member. The current version seems to have moved to version 3. Assuming its cost has not changed, it goes for US $297 with free shipping...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Amir did not recommend it, but it will present you with no problems. You feed your Fosi phono to it, and that can be output over SPDIF coax to the Eversolo. It has less than the 105 db SINAD, but it has enough SINAD you'll be well beyond what you can get from the Fosi phono. You'll need to set it up with a computer over the USB, but it can be operated stand alone with no computer after that. Set levels once with the Fosi feeding the line inputs. An RCA to XLR cable will allow that.

You'll have your Eversolo at the center of things remotely controllable. It will get SPDIF in from the Focusrite so you'll have your phono. It will get the optical Toslink from your CD player. It should do everything you need. No analog bypass, but you'll never hear a difference vs one anyway.

The Eversolo looks like a very interesting and complete proposition and if I was at the start line would be a good solution (although still no IR remote!)

Perhaps this is the real conclusion - to start again.

Still, and my main point of this thread, I can't believe that there isn't a simply preamp product that squares mine, and I'm sure others, need. (Maybe I'm wrong)

A better option might be to have two chains - one analog and one digital to then employ a switching box between the two.

Although, I don't really want to do that either!

 

[freefone0800]

Possible option that is available ready made or DIY. Many ROON users have found various source integration solutions.

rooExtend® EXTENSION BOX FÜR ROON

Extend roon with things you love. rooExtend erweitert den Musikserver Roon in den Bereichen Zuspielung, Steuerung und Wiedergabe um vielerlei Funktionen.

shop.rooextend.com

4 phono option: https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/adept

I have looked into rooextend but as I understand it it is radio looped and has some delay... I maybe wrong.

Interesting nonetheless and will, I'm sure, evolve.

It does pose the overarching question of hardware vs software solutions - my focus on a hardware preamp therefore maybe entirely misplaced.

However, I am where I am... Starting to think I may have to reposition!

 

[Blumlein 88]

The Eversolo looks like a very interesting and complete proposition and if I was at the start line would be a good solution (although still no IR remote!)

Perhaps this is the real conclusion - to start again.

Still, and my main point of this thread, I can't believe that there isn't a simply preamp product that squares mine, and I'm sure others, need. (Maybe I'm wrong)

A better option might be to have two chains - one analog and one digital to then employ a switching box between the two.

Although, I don't really want to do that either!

The Eversolo has a bluetooth remote so I don't see problem there. You could have two chains. What you really need is an old analog preamp with everything going thru it, and a DAC that has a Toslink input.

I do think your best option would be to somewhat start over. Full function analog preamps with remote are a rarity now. There are some phono stages with digital output. One of those and something similar to the Eversolo would give you everything you want in a neater package. AV pre/pros would do what you want, but are perversely more expensive than an AVR. An AVR could do what you want if you either use preamp out to your amp or simply use the AVR to power your speakers. That is the most cost effective solution.

 

[freefone0800]

The Benchmark DAC2 HGC does not digitize the analog inputs. Neither does the Project Pre Box DS2 Digital, and that has a phono preamp that might or might not be good enough depending how picky you are (and Project cheaped out on the remote). I imagine there are others. Is this the right track of what you are after?

A Benchmark or RME is ultimately what I think I will have to buy...

I just thought there might be a cheaper simple preamp box that would just slot.

Thanks for the suggestions - I think this the best option for now and future.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Is one of your big concerns about digitizing your analog sources?

 

[Sokel]

Maybe one of these or a combination can fit your needs,have a look:

Funk Tonstudiotechnik digitale und analoge Tontechnik index

 

[freefone0800]

Is one of your big concerns about digitizing your analog sources?

In theory not at all... plus the advantages of DSP implementation (which I use through Roon for digital anyway) is a great addition/option.

The thing for me is when one starts on that path I might as well just stick with streaming digital - I want to have both! As unequal as I know they are.

Ultimately, I don't have any problem digitising the playback of vinyl - I just want to not to have to as an option too.

 

[Soniclife]

The thing for me is when one starts on that path I might as well just stick with streaming digital - I want to have both! As unequal as I know they are.

I don't understand what you are getting at here, vinyl still sounds exactly like vinyl after a trip through an ADC and DAC, and has done since the 80s.

 

[Timcognito]

On Sale on Amazon $699 Reg $1200

Amazon.com

EDIT: Back to $1100

 

[Chrispy]

Sub out would be good too - looked at the Minidsp flex but... Like the WiiM not for me.

Maybe I'm wrong

Just a sub out or bass management also? Wiim has a nice feature set, what isn't "for you"? Use an external phono stage if you insist on using vinyl perhaps, gives more flexibility on the gear after that.

 

[genesisaudiorack]

I understand there is nothing to worry about now in terms of transparency...

I need function - DAC (Topping with toslink for CD) to the power amp - [(Niles), fine... (- via JDS)]

TT (1200) > phono (Fosi) however I still want to easily combine the two??

Currently using a Jds Atom headphone amp (due to 3.5mm)

I'd love a remote for the Vol basically...

This must be a place in the Venn diagram that is crowded!!

Any help would be appreciated - my brain hurts!

i have been happy with the syred4sound passive volume attenuation preamp. even though its not really a preamp its preamp function is for incredibly low low low inputs. and its remote controlled. as of today this is one of the only colorless signal source switching and volume control units ive listened to. i now have a topping dac attached to it. and the dac is in dac mode only...outputting 4v. this is more than enough for my power amps. the passive resistor based volume control sounds actually better than the toppings volume control.

 

[freefone0800]

I don't understand what you are getting at here, vinyl still sounds exactly like vinyl after a trip through an ADC and DAC, and has done since the 80s.

Correct - and I agree... but why do I need to implement an ADC then DAC to find a solution to my specifics.

I understand there is no compromise in fidelity - the compromise resides in my setup. I could easily place an ADC in the chain. (Yet another box!)

As I have alluded to if I was starting from stratch I'd buy an RME/Flex/Leema etc... (which ultimately I think I will probably do).

I just thought there may be a preamp product that bridged the gap bringing an analog source and digital together.

 

[genesisaudiorack]

Possible option that is available ready made or DIY. Many ROON users have found various source integration solutions.

rooExtend® EXTENSION BOX FÜR ROON

Extend roon with things you love. rooExtend erweitert den Musikserver Roon in den Bereichen Zuspielung, Steuerung und Wiedergabe um vielerlei Funktionen.

shop.rooextend.com

4 phono option: https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/adept

this phono to digital is really interesting. who else makes stuff like this.

 

[Soniclife]

just thought there may be a preamp product that bridged the gap bringing an analog source and digital together.

There are products, from wiim and minidsp that offer all this, but you don't want them, for reasons that aren't clear, if you explain what they don't do for you other suggestions will come.

 

[Soniclife]

I have looked into rooextend but as I understand it it is radio looped and has some delay... I maybe wrong.

Interesting nonetheless and will, I'm sure, evolve.

It does pose the overarching question of hardware vs software solutions - my focus on a hardware preamp therefore maybe entirely misplaced.

However, I am where I am... Starting to think I may have to reposition!

Roon are about to offer this functionality themselves, but they haven't properly announced it, or how it will work.

The Next Evolution in Roon Technology: Roon Ready Relay Expands Your Audio Possibilities

How we experience music in our homes continues to evolve, and today, we’re thrilled to announce a groundbreaking addition to the Roon ecosystem: Roon Ready Relay. This innovation represents a…

blog.roonlabs.net

 

[AdamG]

I apologize if this has already been mentioned. I didn’t read the whole thread. But Schit Audio has a line of Preamps from under $50 bucks up. Maybe something to peruse. If nothing more than helping you resolve the Functions and Features you want.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

 

[Blumlein 88]

I apologize if this has already been mentioned. I didn’t read the whole thread. But Schit Audio has a line of Preamps from under $50 bucks up. Maybe something to peruse. If nothing more than helping you resolve the Functions and Features you want.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

No remote so it wouldn't help his situation as he already has the JDS.

 

[AdamG]

No remote so it wouldn't help his situation as he already has the JDS.

The “Saga”, “Kara” and the “Freya” all come with remotes I believe. Unless I misread the Manuals.

 

[Gary_G]

Parasound P6, Phono in, digital in, sub out, HT bypass, remote volume control. HP crossover for mainsand LP for subs.