Here is question for our more knowledgeable audiophiles and maybe Paul can respond. Which is more important, synergy between dac and preamp or preamp and amp?
Great question but one without a clear answer. The reason is simple. When it comes to synergy, it’s all about combinations that elevate the whole—and which combo, as you are asking—depends on which component is dominant in sound quality.
Of the 3 you mentioned I would suggest they all can play a huge roll. I would look towards the weakest link of the three. Often, that’s the power amplifier. They are the most difficult to get right, have the biggest chance to F’up the sound, and are often the last to get upgraded (size and weight).
So if your amp’s a bit on the harsh side, then your preamp has to be either neutral or soft to compensate. If Neutral, then it’s up to the DAC.
Again, I can’t say as a rule of thumb because there’s no telling what the other gear is (even if you had the best sounding amp there is, what about your loudspeakers? How do they interact?)
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Thank you for replying Paul. I took delivery of the PMG Pre Saturday and with only 30 hours of burn in it sounds so much better than BHk. I will be sending BHk back. My question regarding synergy is for my next upgrade which will be either going from MK2 dac to PMG 512 or waiting for the new PMG stereo amp which would replace my 25 year old Mark Levinson 334 dual mono amp. Thoughts for best sound improvement Paul? I am thinking since my amp is the oldest its time to upgrade it for better synergy and because it sounds like it will be a killer amp!
I would upgrade to the PMG512 DAC and keep the Levinson amp. Depending on your interconnect cables, I would upgrade the interconnect after upgrading to the PMG512 DAC, and still keep the 334.
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I would of course advise you do both. 
But, I am going to go out on a limb and say the amp and here’s why. The 512 is soooo much better than the MKII it’s hard to pass up, but having said that, I can say for certain that old Levinson, as good as it was in its day, has been superseded 10X over by the new PMG amp. So, I would then wait.
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Thank you Paul, you confirmed what i was thinking.
Can’t wait to see and hear the new amp when it is ready.
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Are you selling your MU2 also? 
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You shouldn’t start rumors, lol.
No components or cables will be bought or sold in my stereo system, for a while.
I might, ok, I will, occasionally substitute a tube amp (or tube preamp) into the system.
So if 10X for the Levinson then what about the new PMG over the BHK 600s (I know you’re speaking roughly here). Also do you know the order of release yet, mono’s first or stereo?
I don’t know the launch order though I do know I have fallen in love with the PMG Stereo 200 in the listening Lab that has taken over the 600s but a noticeable margin—pretty big in fact. I have not yet had the pleasure of hearing the mono version of the PMGs but that shouldn’t be long.
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I have no complaints about the 600s, but I was pretty content with BHK pre, PST and DS Mk2 until the PMGs arrived (pre, transport and 512).
Thanks for the update and I’d love to hear more on the mono’s (wattage for example) as details become available.
I love the 600s and likely always will. The 200 looks puny compared to the two 600 mono blocks but…holy moley.
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I can’t wait for the new PMG amps to be released cause I’ll be in the market for some used M1200s by then and I know you all will be upgrading 
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I know it’s too soon, but I need to have a “target” … Any idea on the price of the stereo PMG amp? I have a BHK250, so I’m assuming a significant improvement that would very desirable… but at a (much?) higher price? Given the $30k price of the BHK600 and the new stereo amp being, uh, better I am worried I can’t afford it.
With the NY show up this weekend, I assume we might find out more info soon, but am only guessing. My bet is it will cost less.
Cost less than BHK 600’s? Yes, I guess $14,999 for the PMG stereo. lol
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I am guessing that is a good guess, but am just guessing
That’s what I’m afraid of. Was thinking BHK600 would be my end game if I really wanted to go for it. But those two giant chassis scare me, weight and dimensions are a bit much for my aging body and small room. One thing I forgot to ask Paul M. is what kind of circuit wizardry does he have planned for this amp? Not sure if this is a Darren “idea” or something else …. I believe Paul said Class AB so there must be something special …
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Pricing is predicted to be about the same.
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