Topping L70, best position in the system set up

[sansenri]

I am upgrading a current analogic set up, consisting in an Audio Analogue Puccini SE amp, where the main source is a Rotel RCD 965BX, and would like some quick advice on best set up of the connections.
The Rotel is a reasonably well sounding machine (at least to my aging ears), although dating back to the early 90s, so I have considered that a well performing DAC is likely to improve it's performance (the Rotel has a coax output).
I have therefore already bought a Topping E70V, which is now connected to the Rotel via coaxial cable.
A second purchase was subsequently added, a Wiim Pro Plus streamer. I am aware the Pro Plus already includes quite a good DAC, but first scope for the E70 was to be able to use my CD player (I own quite a number of CDs and do not wish to go through the core of ripping them all).

Now, I am considering a headphone amp... OK, yes, I know, I could have chosed a DAC/headphone amp, but my needs have grown gradually, and also I don't mind the idea of having separates.
As I own the E70, the L70 looks like a good choice, both aesthetically and also due to performance (Amir's review).

However, where should I connect the headphone amp?
Assuming I connect the Rotel CD player via coax to the E70 dac and the Wiim via toslink to the E70 dac, and then the E70 dac to the Puccini amp via RCA (the Puccini only has RCA line inputs), where should I take output to feed the headphone amp? From the dac or the Puccini amp?

Both current sources, the Wiim and the Rotel CD are connected to the dac, and I dont'have other sources connected to the Puccini amp (at the moment at least).

The E70 manual says the dac "has balanced XLR output and single-ended RCA output.
You can choose “XLR only”, “RCA only” or “XLR+RCA” output for different applications.
The level of the XLR output can be changed from 4V to 5V and the RCA output from 2V to 2.5V."

So I could connect the E70 dac to the L70 headphone amp using XLR, and the E70 to the Puccini amp using RCA, and select XLR+RCA, and use whichever amp I prefer (headphones or main system).
I assume this would ensure shortest signal route and best results.

Let's assume however I later wish to add other sources to the Puccini (I own a turntable, currently used in another set up and the Puccini does have a phono input, I also own a receiver, I still do listen to the radio, although I presume the Wiim is much better at that via digital radio), but just so I know how to set it up, the Puccini has both a pre out and a tape out (both RCA), which one should I use to connect the Puccini to the L70?

These are the specs for the Puccini line input/output

Line Input Impedance
50KΩ

Nominal Line Input Sensitivity
1Vrms

Line Signal/Noise Ratio (unweighted)
>80dB

Line Signal/Noise Ratio ('A' weighted)
>90dB

Tape Output Level and Impedance
1Vrms/600Ω

Unfortunately the specs for the Pre output are not mentioned.
The Puccini manual only states

"Tape out
Connect the REC outputs to the inputs marked IN or REC on your tape recorder.

Pre Out
A “pre” output is available to use the Puccini as preamplifier together with an
external power amplifier, or to drive an active subwoofer. Connect the power amplifier
or the subwoofer to the PRE OUT outputs."

Thank you for any comments.

 

[staticV3]

Here's my idea of the optimal Stereo setup:



Notes:

• Blue arrows are analog (XLR/RCA)
• Red arrows are digital (Coax/Toslink/USB)
• ADC, DSP, and DAC can all be separate devices, or just as well all in one box (e.g. there's an ADC inside the WiiM Pro Plus)
• the miniDSP PocketADC is an inexpensive way to add more ADC channels to your system
• the Cooidea Toslink Switch is an inexpensive way to add more digital inputs to your system

 

[sansenri]

thank you, that is an alternative I had not though of, now I have to dig for info to better understand what a miniDSP is/does
At any rate, I assume in the current configuration you nevertheless advise to feed the headphone amp with signal directly from the dac.

 

[staticV3]

At any rate, I assume in the current configuration you nevertheless advise to feed the headphone amp with signal directly from the dac.

Yes!

 

[sansenri]

though so, thanks

 

[sansenri]

ok, I have also briefly checked your proposal to include a digital signal processor in the set up, in case I should need more sources.

I understand analogue sources would first require to be digitized being fed to the DSP by an analog to digital converter, and then would go through the dac.

In case of more digital sources I would understand the need of the DSP (being the number of inputs limited on the E70), but I assume it would not be particularly useful to have analog sources go through such a loop, seeing as my Puccini has 6 line inputs (and the original analog signal would also remain unmodified).

As you mention, the Pro Plus does have an analog line input, and I understand it converts the signal to digital and sends it either to the external dac, or through its own dac (depending how I set it, I assume) so that is one more analog input.

Obviously, I am not considering the additional benefits of a DSP in terms of playing around with EQ, in which case I do understand the suggested set up so that everything goes thorugh the DSP. For my current needs it is probably excessive, but I will give it some thught after some listening; the set up is in a studio and listening will probably be prevalently through headphones.