The no-preamp idea has been discussed before somewhere. I never use a preamp these days and the new transformers are (ahem) transformational in this setup.
It’s true that a very few very quiet recordings can’t be played as loud as I want when I’m in the mood for loud. But I can apply gain to the files if I ever get antsy about this (I know it’s a sin). I use the balanced outputs.
Like jazznut said I always use a multimeter. Who knows if someone somewhere made two mistakes that cancel…
The XS4400 and replacement analog power supply messages are all on this thread. The search function will let you pick the ones closest to your needs and tolerance for risk. People are just doing the mods and sharing their experiences, there is no special set of instructions and, in particular, there is no support from PS Audio (tho it won’t void your warrantee if your mod isn’t the cause of failure.) There are some good warnings however.
So it sounds like the pro-preamp crowd is generally trying to get a higher level to the amp. IMO it should be enough to have the gain in your amp. Usually there’s around 28dB’ish gain there already. In my amp for example it only takes ~ 1500mV peak input to clip the amp (+/-38v rails). The DAC, although a bit low in drive level should be able to drive that high, I assume.
One big problem with an additional preamp is, another volume attenuator. Those are large sources of degradation and loss, especially the general versions (eg, the venerable Alps blue). Believe me, I have compared many in an effort to find the best.
The preamp I made is open loop unity gain with ~ ultra low distortion buffers. The DAC is able to drive the stack to clipping, just the preamp volume control (a high quality stepped attenuator) has to be turned rather higher than “usual”. That’s not a physical problem however, just a mental hurdle.
As papa Pass noted long ago, what’s with all the system gain if you just have to turn it all down with the volume control? It only hurts sonically so what’s the point? High preamp gain is an artifact of some very weak line level components from long ago. Does not apply to the vast majority of users these days IMO.
IMO it won’t get any better than driving the amp directly, and with a lossless digital volume control with remote to boot(!)
JMO. YMMV 
Driving the DAC directly does not have enough gain in my case. I’m running it to the upper 90’s and sometimes max out on some recordings with low output. Maybe my power amp does not have enough gain. But putting in my Esoteric preamp not only give me the much needed gain, it also puts the sound improvement into another ballpark, it’s that much better. More substance, more dimensionality, more soundspace. Running the DAC straight sounds rather flat in my setup.
Yah. Yah know - after sunlight I went direct again - and for me the black backgrounds just were something I couldn’t let go of. Also, maybe the dac is just a better match from a synergy perspective. I’ve ordered some balanced connections to see if things can get better yet. I swear the bass got better. But it is a very close call. My Maggie 20.7s are never wanting for soundstage - I mean they just DO that. No sub needed whatsoever.
It’s just not fair in your case waymanchen.
Interesting. How much gain does your amp have? T
Listening to that Rachmaninov recording now. Great recording. And you are right very low. Although I think I will have enough with the balanced cables soon. I really have enough now - but I do have to push the DS volume up to 91. The Maggie’s just do this sublimely.
I believe 28db. It seem to have more gain before I update to the Sunlight firmware because I tried it before some time ago, and it didn’t quite go to the top 90’s.
I see, thanks. T
See the posts 195, 264 from Ted on the required power connectors and post 312 with some pictures of the mod. You can use any high quality 12V LPS and compared to the XS4400 mod its easy to do. Farrad refers to the Farrad Super 3 LPS: Farad Super 3 Linear Power Supply
Dear lufubu,
could you please give us a link to the RCA outputs from Furutech which you’ve chosen? As Ted pointed out, there are many different designs for PCB connection around and this would help to avoid buying the wrong RCA outputs.
Thanks so much in advance
Christian
Hello there,
I want to point out that it is not exactly compatible.
need to work on it.
Separate connection is required for live lead thinning and neutral.
I don’t think there is a model that fits perfectly.
With some things in audio imo it doesn’t make sense to try to make a rule or technical reasoning out of personal experiences, even if famous fellows made statements to isolated topics out of the overall context.
The preamp or not topic seems to depend on the individual situation, mainly dominated by the quality of the involved preamp as well as the rest of the setup and the way the listener‘s demands match what each option delivers.
I bet you’ll finde prove for both options in many places and from my personal experience I suspect they tend towards „preamp in the chain“, the better setups and the more extensive demands get (even if this makes no sense from the puristic point of view).
Thanks lufubu
Something for the decent bass freaks to enjoy the new capabilities…
you should sit in the sweet spot where everything’s quite flat 
I celebrate Sunlight (and calibrate my ears for the upcoming transformer mod) with this electronic sub-bass gem from Senking.
And for a more natural bass reference I use this cheesy but very well produced song from Warren Wolf.
Can’t wait to get these small fellows showing off…
Thanks guys. I’ll try and backtrack on the PSU mods thread and learn more.
One of the standout things for me with the DS is, the rhythm and timing are back, so to speak, after a loooong digital absence. That’s one area where analog has always stomped digital into the ground, PRAT as N*im calls it. But by now we are so used to it gone, my goodness.
I have a theory as to maybe why and how. I could be completely wrong. maybe Ted might be able to elaborate as it would all be related to his digital handiwork. The theory here is, sampling beats. In the NOS output mode for example they are there and they are ugly. 44K1 beats put a slew of unwanted bass and midbass tones into the music that should not be there. And if so, of course it makes sense the effect is to ruin the PRAT.
Now the question is- what does up sampling do to the beats issue. Does it magically make all the beats issue better, or is there much more to it than that? I assume not all up sampling are equal, likely far from it in fact(?)
Or heck, maybe just the transformer bass distortion is making my perception unit tap to the beat. If so, I call that a euphonic coloration and I like it Lol.
Here’s a tune I heard recently worth sharing IMO, a new style (to me) called “trip-hop” I think. Thanks to Tidal. Dig it, very groovy, PRAT in spades 
Alif Tree - Forgotten Places:
(Hearing it on the computer here the timing is messed up again. My G-d, no, its mangled)
Thanks, T
Indeed PRAT was the entry…and ambiance better then elsewhere for the price
