Post by highdb on Apr 8, 2019 20:36:39 GMT
Greetings. From all of the accolades on TAS, I'm thinking about ordering the Caiman Seg to run directly to my amps, but have a few questions. My tube monoblocks ('94 Quicksilver Audio Silver Mono 90) are not very sensitive. I've been using a kit built preamp (TS Grounded Grid) that has 12db gain/20vrms max output. Currently, via Ipad, I stream/airplay Tidal Hi-FI through Airport Express toslink out to an IFI Ipurifier into a Modi 2 Uber Dac to the preamp. I set the preamp volume at 2 o' clock and use the volume control on the ipad. Most listening is at about 1/2 volume on the ipad. Max volume on the ipad and 2 o'clock on the preamp is just insanely loud, but crystal clear, and super fun once in a while!
Now, for the sake of trying it, I removed the preamp and put the dac straight into the amp using the ipad's volume control and I'm very much enjoying the increased transparency, clearer midrange, less coloration, etc. But I can't turn it up very loud. Great for soft to moderate listening levels on most of the tracks I stream, but I can full volume it and still be at a low sound output on certain tracks that have a lower recording level. No concert levels happening here. I don't think I'll be happy with that long term. According to specs, my Modi dac output max is 2vrms. Is the Caiman output modifiable? Do I need a different dac with a higher voltage output, like a M2tech Young which can do 5.5 vrms? or do I just need to keep using a preamp?
Any guidance in the matter would be most appreciated as I'm liking having the preamp removed. I'm all digital so no analog inputs needed.
-Highdb
Now, for the sake of trying it, I removed the preamp and put the dac straight into the amp using the ipad's volume control and I'm very much enjoying the increased transparency, clearer midrange, less coloration, etc. But I can't turn it up very loud. Great for soft to moderate listening levels on most of the tracks I stream, but I can full volume it and still be at a low sound output on certain tracks that have a lower recording level. No concert levels happening here. I don't think I'll be happy with that long term. According to specs, my Modi dac output max is 2vrms. Is the Caiman output modifiable? Do I need a different dac with a higher voltage output, like a M2tech Young which can do 5.5 vrms? or do I just need to keep using a preamp?
Any guidance in the matter would be most appreciated as I'm liking having the preamp removed. I'm all digital so no analog inputs needed.
-Highdb