Doug Schroeder Method, Double ic

Douglas_Schroeder,

Which is the preferred analog connections, from dac to preamp or from preamp to amp?

ozzy

I’d personally say to go from cd or source, to preamp.

This way the loading is stable and assured, instead of impedance and load both shifting every time you change the potentiometer level. And, to be entering into a power amp directly where full gain is always applied........egads! It's like hunting for a uncomplimentary resonance pattern - that blows stuff up. Sooner or later....you'll get there. It's still very much a maybe, but the odds are too high for me....

A recipe for disaster, it could be... pre to power is to be avoided, relatively speaking. A personal choice. But a sensible one.

@taras22 and @teo_audio
1+ for emphasis. Nice reminders

What’s the opinion about using this method with a passive pre? Connecting to a SET amp? I've also heard there could be issues with an NOS DAC? I have all three, thus the questions.

I would follow the advice of Teo_Audio and use the cables upstream of the preamp. I have used both passive and active pre’s with the cables. No issues.