• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

What DAC or preamp to use with Q Acoustic 3050 and XTZ Edge A2-300 Class D Power Amp

rk76

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2019
Messages
6
Likes
1
Hi all, total newbie here.
I currently have a NAD D3020 amp paired with a pair of Q Acoustic 3050 floor standers. It sits in my living area which is open plan (6.4m x 5m) with a high ceiling.

I've been looking to get a more powerful amp that could drive the speakers a bit better. My main music sources are:
1. Google Play Music via a Chromecast Audio
2. My own music ripped as FLACs on my laptop served via USB to the NAD D3020 (using Jriver)

After reading some comments here (and on a whim) I've ended up buying the following:
XTZ Edge A2-300 Class D Power Amp (https://www.xtzsound.eu/product/edge-a2-300)

Some specs:
Power (RMS): 2 x 460 W (1% THD, 2.7 Ω) / 2 x 300 W (1% THD, 4 Ω) / 2 x 150 W (1% THD, 8 Ω)
Frequency response:5 Hz – 70 kHz (- 3 dB ref.)
Distortion:0,005% THD+N (1 kHz, 1 - 100 W, 4 Ω)
Damping Factor:>1500 (8 Ω, 20 - 500 Hz)
Dynamic range:113 dB S/N, (A-weighted at 300 W, 4 Ω)

As per website the gain potentiometer can be used to adjust for the output level, when connected to other sources than regular pre-amplifiers like mobilephones, mediaplayers etc.


Being a newbie, I have no idea how to connect this amp to my music sources. I didn't realise a power amp needs a preamp (or doesn't it?).

Point is I now have the above power amp heading my way, and my existing NAD D3020 (which I'll sell if it doesn't serve a purpose) and my Q Acoustic 3050 floor standers. Can I just buy a DAC and connect it to the amp? I was considering the Topping D10/D30/D50 or even the SMSL SU-8 Version 2.

Or do I need a preamp? Does anyone have any recommendations on which one if so would be best paired to the above amp?

Do I need a preamp AND a DAC - heeeelp !!!!!
 

Eurasian

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
253
Likes
214
It seems your NAD has a pre output, so you can drive the new amp from it with a 3.5 mm to rca splitter.
 

RayDunzl

Grand Contributor
Central Scrutinizer
Joined
Mar 9, 2016
Messages
13,198
Likes
16,981
Location
Riverview FL
Can I just buy a DAC and connect it to the amp?

Yes.

The gain potentiometer on the amp should be sufficient, though inconvenient, if you have no other method for volume control.
 
OP
R

rk76

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2019
Messages
6
Likes
1
It seems your NAD has a pre output, so you can drive the new amp from it with a 3.5 mm to rca splitter.
Hi Eurasian - I'm not sure if my NAD D3020 does have a pre output? I know the NAD D3020 V2 does when I googled it: "Along with a $100 reduction in price from the original D 3020, NAD has added a full-range preamp-only output and an RIAA-equalized moving-magnet phono stage"

Although when I looked up the manual for my amp it does state the following:
SUBW • Connect the SUBW output to powered (“active”) subwoofers or to power amplifier channels driving a passive system

So is that right - I can just connect my existing NAD amp to the power amp. Forgive my ignorance, but what does "driving a passive system" mean? And what does that essentially mean: does it mean my NAD is purely for input of sources and all the "amp work" is done by my new power amp?
Also people keep harping on about the merits of a dedicated DAC. Would I still need that (i.e. is it still recommended into this chain)?
 
OP
R

rk76

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2019
Messages
6
Likes
1
Yes.

The gain potentiometer on the amp should be sufficient, though inconvenient, if you have no other method for volume control.
Thanks @RayDunzl . Any advice on which DAC... the Topping D10/D30/D50 or the SMSL SU-8 Version 2? Or anything else? @Eurasian had suggested using the NADs pre out. Just trying to get the best setup whether its DAC to the new power amp, or if its DAC to NAD D3020 to the new power amp.
 

Eurasian

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
253
Likes
214
Try the splitter I described between the headphone output on the NAD and your new amp. It should work fine.
 
OP
R

rk76

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2019
Messages
6
Likes
1
Thanks to all for your inputs - really appreciate it!
I've got it on good authority ;) to go ahead with the SMSL SU-8 v2 feeding straight into the XTZ Edge A2-300
Can't believe I just missed the massdrop for the SU-8! :mad:
 

RayDunzl

Grand Contributor
Central Scrutinizer
Joined
Mar 9, 2016
Messages
13,198
Likes
16,981
Location
Riverview FL
Any advice on which DAC... the Topping D10/D30/D50 or the SMSL SU-8 Version 2?

No.

I read (skim) but don't really follow the conversations on those too much.

They're all (if I remember correctly) inexpensive enough such that if you don't like one you just bag it and get the other.

---

*reads a little of the last unread 10 pages or so of the SMSL thread. Finds the conversation is too noisy to comprehend, even if the device is not.
 
Last edited:

SMc

Active Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2018
Messages
269
Likes
223
Hi Eurasian - I'm not sure if my NAD D3020 does have a pre output? I know the NAD D3020 V2 does when I googled it: "Along with a $100 reduction in price from the original D 3020, NAD has added a full-range preamp-only output and an RIAA-equalized moving-magnet phono stage"
The NAD D3020 V1 has a headphone output that can serve as a preamp but the Stereophile measurements say it clips at high levels and has a high output impedance (200 ohms).

https://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-d-3020-integrated-amplifier-measurements
 

Eurasian

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
253
Likes
214
Shouldn't be a problem driving the high input impedance of the power amp. I will look for the Stereophile test.
 

Eurasian

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
253
Likes
214
According to the test, unclipped level was 6.8 V which should be plenty to drive the new amplifier to full output, and then some!
 
OP
R

rk76

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2019
Messages
6
Likes
1
Thanks @SMc and @Eurasian for your continued advice. Really appreciate it!
So that means I've got another option? i.e. instead of pursuing a DAC I can just use my existing NAD D3020 and connect it to the new power amp via the headphone out, using a 3.5mm to rca splitter?
Will something like this do?
And just to confirm - don't use the SUBW connection but use the headphone out? I'd love to understand what that means i.e. the NAD still acts like an amp but then the power amp further amplifies it? Apologies for the novice understanding....
 

Eurasian

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
253
Likes
214
That splitter will work fine.

Your NAD will become the preamp for your system and retain all of its functionality except for the power amp stage. You should use the headphone out socket, not sub out. Also, don't forget that the new amp has a gain control on the back. You can use this to put the volume knob on the NAD in the optimal range.

Your system will now sound like a turbocharged D3020!
 

caspar64

New Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
1
Likes
0
congrats for the purchase of your XTZ Edge A2-300 Power Amp! I own one myself and am extremely happy with it, a real bargain.
Your D3020 is also a very good machine - the match of integrated amp and power amp is only unusual.

Since you are using digital sources only you could alternatively and more conventionally consider to combine a DAC/Preamp with the XTZ.

I bought a used Audiolab M-DAC and the combination really works fine. The gain control of the XTZ is set to half so the digital attenuation of volume inside the M-DAC is kept low, which saves the digital resolution from being reduced.

A quite affordable alternative to the M-DAC among many others could be a Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital or the Topping D50 you mentioned.
 
Last edited:
OP
R

rk76

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2019
Messages
6
Likes
1
Hi all - just an update - I've FINALLY got the XTZ Edge A2-300. Connected it to my NAD D3020's headphone out using the 3.5mm to RCA splitter as suggested (thanks @Eurasian!) - like I've said before, I'm no expert but its made a major difference to my listening experience! Best way to explain it is that I don't have to struggle to hear anything - especially at low volumes where I can still hear the vocals and the instruments. I'm hearing things via my speakers (Q Acoustic 3050) that I previously could only hear if I listened to them at a high(er) volume via my headphones (PSB M4U-1)!
@caspar64 thanks for your suggestions re: a DAC, I would very much like to get one in the future but for now will use the existing setup.
Only question I had was if there is a suggestion on volume levels i.e. do I keep the NAD volume high, and the gain on the new XTZ low? And given that I use JRiver to play my FLACs is there a difference/benefit at which of the 3 points I should be regulating the volume? Thanks all!
 
Top Bottom