I’m becoming more and more a fan of the MK ll direct to my power amp. Certainly the purest highest resolving sound I’ve heard. Time will tell how the new DAC will compare but I’ve already invested in a separate streamer I really like and getting rid of my digital chain doesn’t exactly appeal. The preamp, on the other hand, does get my attention. As much as I like the MK ll without a preamp the idea that adding a preamp, done right, adding more depth to the soundstage and texture to the sound overall would be tempting.
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The trick for me to make adding a preamp to the chain worthwhile, considering all the additional cost and complexity, would be if they can deliver the sonic benefits promised without adding anything that would detract from all the good stuff I already enjoy.
Many of us prefer listening with a preamp.
Whether or not you will enjoy this is dependent on your own experimenting.
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I wonder how good the analog volume out of the new dac compares to BHK pre out put. I think I’m going to compare them. If it’s better I’m going straight to amp and then pick up the new amp when it releases. Lots of options.
The best single chassis DAC/Pre units that I have heard, have segmented the work. The Preamp works in solely the analog domain. It is not a digital circuit with the associated noise that follows. A Mk1, Mk2, MSB Discrete, all have digital Pre’s. They sound fine, just not as good as
with a separate analog Pre.
This is one reason that the Grimm MU2 and Playback Designs sound good, with internal analog Preamps.
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For the longest time I’ve always ran a CD player or DAC with a volume control directely to the amp, that was until I tried the BHK preamp, which made a world of difference. I know there’s DAC’s and CD player’s out there that have outstanding output stages and volume controls that don’t need a preamp to sound good, like the Playback Designs DAC, but they’re out of my price range. So for now I’m sticking with my BHK preamp. Maybe the new PMG DAC will be killer without a preamp, have to wait and see.
In my history, everytime i added a pre, it enhanced the experience, no question.
However in the past year i did give up the best pre i have ever had (BAT) and went integrated.
That switch probably does not relate much to many but a integrated done right (TA, Accuphase, Soulnote,Levinson) can exact a great degree of the same fidelity in my experience.
However in my experience in the land of separates, dac, pre, amp was always cleary superior.
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Are you saying the pure stream dac still needs a preamp to sound its best? It will not work like an Mu2.
I believed the new PMG DAC has sufficient gain to be used as a preamp as well. Being a digitally derived circuit, however, I would assume that the separate unit, with analog preamp alongside the DAC, would be ideal.
Don’t get me wrong. I would love one unit to do it all, but a seriously designed all analog circuit in the pre, is the key, single or separate units.
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Since started this rabbit hole, with much trial and error, pains and triuphms in my own very dumb ways, I suspect, adding the pre-amp in the chain, all other factors dependent, can enhance the sound in meaningful ways.
I suspect, depending the system as a whole, the pre-amp can enchance the signal “geometry”, as in 3D space, + timing, so the listener sensitive to it would hear an improvement in their own brain. I will not say more because this hobby has led me to explore many area of science which if I say what I think I know, I would be labled crazy even here 
I really want to try out the new pre, just not in the market for one currently because I’m happy with my Mc C2700.
Very nice Preamp…
Does it have a built in DAC as well?
Cheers.
Yes, it does, doesn’t match MKII, but if I don’t A/B, I wouldn’t care about the difference, currently serving my two channel HT nicely. My contractor always ask me where is the center channel when I demo. lol
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Nice to hear that the MKII outperforms the McIntosh DAC (card?) in the C2700.
Yes, it’s a card, it sounds really good for what it is.
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rkindel, what streamer did you end up with ?
Eversolo A6 Master Edition. The first version. A good power cord and digital cable is important in getting the most from it in my experience. Nothing fancy.
Has anyone been in contact with Ted? I’m still hoping to hear his response to this and if he would consider developing the MKII. I know Paul and co. used to compare his builds and choose the one to release, but I’m sure a group of beta testers would agree to do that for him.
I have been searching for a way to contact Ted but so far have been unable to do so. Even his Linked in page is gone.
Ted is still a member here…PM him!
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Have you tried sending him a private message through this forum? It looks like his LinkedIn profile is still there: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedasmith/