Preamp pairing with Audial DAC S5b?
Hi Community,
I've got a DAC S5b on order and just planning for its arrival.
Was planning on purchasing an AGD Audion MKIII ganfet mono block power amps and now just on the hunt for a preamp that will match nicely with the DAC S5b and the Audio MKIIIs.
Seems like its popular to pair vintage multi-bit DACs with a tube stage like Lampizator and Audio Note gear, so I was considering a tube pre.
Any thoughts/recommendations on this?
The S5b has no special requirements for the (pre)amplifier. Its output stage is the highly capable line driver with low output impedance (3 Ohm, and the coupling transformer adds 26 Ohm to it), and the unit as a whole has a neutral sonic balance, so you can generally use the amplifier(s) you like.
I normally use it with Audial A20 and A21 integrated amplifiers, but it might be redundant to say. Hopefully, the other users will drop in by telling their experience.
Thanks for the reply Pedja! Looking forward to receiving my unit and experimenting then with no special limitations 🙂
I use my S5b with a Sugden A21 SE and both outputs work well. I also heard it in a Rega Aethos as well. It works very well in both Amps.
I would love to hear it paired with the A21 one day.
Regards,
Peter
Thanks for sharing. I have a few flavours of pre-amp and amp that I will play with to get the best sound.
Read good things about the Sudden A21 and the A21. Curious 🙂
I hope to get a S5b Dac soon, my pre amp is the Supratek Cabernet 6SN7 / 300b tube preamp, the S5b will replace my Primare Dac 30 in my main system, really looking forward to it.
I use the USB output from a Roon Nucleus to the S5b into an Audio Note integrated amp. It's glorious.
I am now using my S5B into a Rega Aethos - needless to say it is a stunning combination. The Sugden ran too hot in my room and the extra power is taking my Graham LS 5/9s to another level.