[Rusty Jefferson]

Can anyone comment on if the DVA preamplifier can run both RCA and XLR outputs simultaneously ?
thanks

Yes it can, both outputs are powered simultaneously. There is a difference in gain though, and I'm assuming it has low enough output impedance to drive 2 amplifiers without issue.

[jandrews]

I ask because I'm considering the DVA and there's no headphone output on it...So perhaps the balanced outs could be sent to a little balanced headphone amp while the RCA's stay connected to my NP1.

[AVASupport]

I ask because I'm considering the DVA and there's no headphone output on it...So perhaps the balanced outs could be sent to a little balanced headphone amp while the RCA's stay connected to my NP1.

Although the DVA Digital Preamplifier wasn't designed to be used with both XLR and RCA outputs connected, it is possible and will not harm the unit. However, it will impact the differential balance of the XLR outputs slightly. In other words, you'll still get the benefits of differential signalling on the XLR output, just not as much as you could. Exactly how much and whether it will have an audible impact depends on the load placed on the RCA output. In your case, running the RCA output into the NP1 will put the XLR hot and cold about 0.05dB out of balance.

[jandrews]

Thank you
And that would be the cases even when the NP1 was powered down ?

[AVASupport]

And that would be the cases even when the NP1 was powered down ?

We would not recommend loading the DVA Digital Preamplifier or any other source with a powered-down amplifier, including the NP1. The input behavior of the NP1 and most other amplifiers is unspecified when powered off. Often, when solid-state circuits are not energized, they present a very nonlinear load. This can introduce a significant source of distortion to devices that try to drive them.

[Mary]

I just got done listening to the DAC in my sons system. 

He has a Cary Audio SI 300.2d integrated amp that retailed for $6K.  His DAC is a Chord Qutest with an upgraded linear power supply that greatly improved the sound.  He is also using a JCat usb card.  Speakers are Wharfedale Evo 4.4's with a Rythmik F12se sub.

The DVA blew away the Chord and it was not even close.  The sound stage was larger and deeper.  The background was blacker and there was much more micro detail.   Textures were better and more layered. The treble was not as pushed back in his system.  Separation between instruments were also better as the Chord can sound a little congested when the music gets complex. And again, this dac sounded so smooth.  It is so listenable without any fatigue, glare, grain and the like.  The DVA took the sound to a higher level of refinement.

He is going to save up some money and probably buy the DAC.

Larry I really want to thank you and your son for doing such a through review of our DVA Digital Preamplifier. In fact, all three of the pieces you are currently listening to and reviewing. It is important for customers to get insight from regular users not just media reviews. We all really appreciate the time you spend listening and writing these reviews.

I am glad you are enjoying this equipment as much as we do here.

Mary

[Tone Depth]

I'm listening to mine, the "F" (fade) button on the remote toggles the display between three brightness levels plus unlit. This is also described in the instructions manual.

can you comment if the center display screen can be fully turned off while the dac is in use?
thanks
JS

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Larry I really want to thank you and your son for doing such a through review of our DVA Digital Preamplifier. In fact, all three of the pieces you are currently listening to and reviewing. It is important for customers to get insight from regular users not just media reviews. We all really appreciate the time you spend listening and writing these reviews.

I am glad you are enjoying this equipment as much as we do here.

Mary

Thanks Mary!  Anytime you have any new gear, I would be happy to review it.  These new amps and the DVA are superb sounding.
This weekend, we will try the DVA with the CA-1 and NP-1 and report back before I return the gear on Monday.

[ArthurDent]

Hi AD, the DVA sounds way better than the DAC 5.  It is not even close. The DVA is more musical, has a larger sound stage and it is smoother.  When I reviewed the DAC 5 it sounded very nice but it was not better than the Yggy and my Luxman.  The DVA to me is on par with the PSA Direct Stream and it is more holographic than the PSA.  The PSA has more detail and resolution though.  The DVA is so natural and smooth sounding with no fatigue at all.  I could listen to it all day.  I think it is the best sounding piece of electronics that I have reviewed from AVA.  The only other DAC that I could say this about is the Aqua La Scala MKII.  It is my favorite DAC, especially with the LinQ. I have 2 friends that own the Aqua.  The DVA comes close. But the Aqua is not as holographic sounding.  And the Aqua cost around $8K and the LinQ is another few thousand.

Hey IGF, Thank you for the thoughts/impressions.    Decisions decisions, never ending. The DAC 5 eliminated the need for 2 converters I was using (1 for USB, 1 for Coax & Optical), cleaning up the system somewhat as well as improving the sound. Now the question becomes do I add back at least 1, the A2D, to best utilize the available inputs if I go with the Digital Pre ? Much to think about. Will look forward to your feedback on it's use with the CA-1 & NP-1 units, have a great weekend.
JD

[VinceT]

I will be trying it with the CA-1 this week and possibly with the NP-1.  We are also going to try it as a preamp as my son's Cary has a preamp in.  The Cary is a beast of an Integrated with 450 wpc Class AB.  I would like to try it with my Pass amp but there is too much to unhook from my BAT having to reach around behind it.

Tom, the speakers do disappear with this DAC and the music seems to be hanging in air between the speakers.  And  then it expands from there beyond the side walls.

By the way, I am eventually going to buy this DAC as some point in the next year.

Look forward to hearing the results of the pre/dac with the Cary's amp. Glad to hear the AVA has a great sound stage, curious about the dynamics so that will be an interesting pairing.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Look forward to hearing the results of the pre/dac with the Cary's amp. Glad to hear the AVA has a great sound stage, curious about the dynamics so that will be an interesting pairing.

We tried the DVA as a preamp with the Cary's amp.  I did not get to hear it as I have been working.  But my son heard it and said the DVA sounded good as a preamp and DAC with his amp but the Cary's preamp sounds better.  He said the sound stage was wider and there is more detail and body to the music with the Cary's preamp. It is not so surprising since the Cary did sell for $6K when it first came out a few years ago.  If you look up reviews on the Cary they are excellent. The Cary also has a built in DAC but the DVA's DAC is much better.

[Dart87]

But my son heard it and said the DVA sounded good as a preamp and DAC with his amp but the Cary's preamp sounds better.  He said the sound stage was wider and there is more detail and body to the music with the Cary's preamp.

This is fascinating to me.  Your son's Cary is an integrated amp correct?  Was he using the RCA or the XLR connections between the DVA DAC and the Cary?  I am assuming to test the DVA preamp he used the cinema bypass function (this way he could test both the DAC and preamp functions without moving the input connectors).  So when running the DVA DAC at full output (DAC mode) and the Cary regulating the attenuation to its amp section, there is wider sound stage and more detail and body vs when the DVA regulates the attenuation (preamp mode) to the Cary's amp section.   

[I.Greyhound Fan]

This is fascinating to me.  Your son's Cary is an integrated amp correct?  Was he using the RCA or the XLR connections between the DVA DAC and the Cary?  I am assuming to test the DVA preamp he used the cinema bypass function (this way he could test both the DAC and preamp functions without moving the input connectors).  So when running the DVA DAC at full output (DAC mode) and the Cary regulating the attenuation to its amp section, there is wider sound stage and more detail and body vs when the DVA regulates the attenuation (preamp mode) to the Cary's amp section.

Yes, the Cary is an Integrated amp that has great detail, dynamics and huge sound stage.  The DVA was connected to the Cary to the cinema bypass in when we tested it as a preamp/dac.  We used RCA cables.  When we connected the DVA as a DAC, we used a CD input with RCA cables.  The Cary by itself has a little more detail, and a slightly larger sound stage.  Our findings did not surprise us as the Cary is an excellent unit.  In fact, we did a side-by-side comparison to a $10K Luxman Integrated and the Cary sounded better.  Don't get me wrong, the DVA has a huge sound stage, but the Cary's preamp was a little better.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/cary-audio-si-3002d-integrated-amplifier#:~:text=Sporting%20the%20modest%20chassis%20height,%20brushed-aluminum