[dspringham]

As both the DAC-10 and the LM-502 are both based on the same family of ESS chipsets they are more similar than different other than the fact that one's output stage is SS and the other is tube.  Both DAC's portray the soundstage in my room wall to wall.  With the LM the depth is several rows back in the audience than the DAC-10, though both portray depth to the "back of the stage."  Detail retrieval goes to the DAC-10 as is the case with most comparisons between SS and tubes.  I have used it as a "linestage" only insofar as running the Vista Phono into the analog inputs for the TT.  For the first month I ran it as a DAC/Pre. Then after that I ran it as a DAC only using a W4S STP-SE, Sonic Frontier Line 2 SE+ and the Modwright LS-100 as preamps. I prefer to use a separate preamp, but many others prefer to use DAC/Preamps straight into the power amps so you mileage may vary depending on which option you prefer.

Jack,

Can you compare the DAC-10 as a line stage only vs the STP-SE. Please reference noise floor, speed, transparency. What amps are you driving?

Dave

[shahed]

Anyone compared the DAC-10 as volume control when feeding into digital signal as oppose to using a dedicated preamp. How did it compare? If you have, please mention which preamp you have compared it to. I mostly interested in volume control performance of digital input, not the analog input.

[Randy Myers]

I am using a DAC-10H as the control unit for my system.  It is the pre-amplifier, DAC, and headphone amplifier.  I use both analog (SA-CD) and digital sources (music server and Redbook CDs).  I have not noticed a difference in how the volume works from either type of source.  I actually replaced a Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE with the NuPrime.  The W4S might have been slightly more refined, but for my purpose they were so close that all of the advantages the DAC-10H brought to the table made it the best choice for me.

[lupocerviero]

ciao Davide ben trovato anche su questo lido 
stavo giusto perorando la tua causa 

Davide is the l'amicorumei

Wow, 9 anni? 😬

[Merckx1]

I just got an ST-10 that I’m not totally satisfied with when driven by my VMV D1se. Would the DAC-10 be a smoother combination?

[John Casler]

Most likely the sister DAC10 would be specifically designed to function the best.

That said, people mix brands and models all the time to customize their sound preferences.

Other than "smoothness" (undefined) what qualities are you looking for?

[Merckx1]

I’m
Just looking for a slump visual profile and synergy with the amp. It already sounds quite good!

[rustydoglim]

See Amp Comparison: https://nuprimeaudio.com/guides/amp-comparison/
AMG One or Fusion-2X from nuprime-x.com

[Merckx1]

I’m currently using an SMSL VMV D1se as a DAC and have the variable output switched on so that I can reduce the output around 50%. That way my WiiM Ultra can be run at close to full output. I still use the WiiM’s remote and not the DACs’. Would the NuPrime DAC 10 yield an appreciable difference in sound? Both DACs have a linear power supply and have balanced outs - which I am using with the ST-10 amp. BTW, I love the ST-10! I think I struck gold when I replaced my Rogue integrated with this thing. The NuPrime amp just makes my Dynaudio 140’s sing!