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All in One DAC/Pre/headphone amp vs Separates

Current top end: PC to PS Audio DLIII DAC with Cullen upgrades to Audio Research LS8 tube Pre to Ray Samuel Raptor tube headphone amp.

Status: the LS8 finally went to audio heaven so, the question

buy another tube pre-amp and plug in or....

Buy one of these new all in one type gear, looking at

B.M.C. Pure DAC
Grace M903
April Music Eximus DP1

Thoughts, assistance appreciated. Have a hard time giving up "tubes" somewhere in all this digital world.

THANKS
mlapenta
mlapenta OP
72 posts
 
I tried the WA7 at a recent nyc audio show and frankly was not impressed. i thought it sounded thin and analytical unlike their great high end tube amps.
thompsontechs
15 posts
 
Oh my, I just had to revive this thread. The WA7 FF with tube supply is ANYTHING but thin to my ears. I have the HD800s, but prefer my modded HD650s warm, rich butter oozing from my ears....  MMMM Cookies!
Not stock tubes, but hell, I don't even remember what they are anymore.  GASP!
headphonedreams
95 posts
 
I think you should start with better headphones, like the Beyerdynamics Amiron Home which are probably a lot better than dt880 and warmer than dt1990. I have the Amiron and love them.

For listening through speakers it is really hard to say when a pre will help and not. You might have to lend one and try.
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