[rebbi]

 Hey, guys,
I have three sources in my rig:
1) An old Musical Fidelity DAC fed by my CD transport;
2) My MacBook Pro feeding higher resolution files into the same DAC;
3) A phono preamp.
 I am looking for an elegant way to get an analog input and a digital input in some sort of box or preamplifier that also gives me a volume control (with remote) that I can then hook up via balanced connection to a pair of Maraschino‘s.
The Schiit Freya Comes to mind. Anybody tried that? Any other ideas?
Thanks!

[Wind Chaser]

Either a Nuprime DAC-9 or a DAC-10 will host everything you have and give you everything you want in terms of volume control via remote control and balanced outputs. I own the DAC-10 and it's absolutely stellar. I haven't heard the DAC-9, however everything I've heard about it is very positive.

Given the very high performance of the Nuprime DACs, you're better off bypassing your "old DAC" by plugging your transporter directly into either of the two Nuprime units.

[lunego]

rebbi, as an alternative to the Freya I'd recommend you consider a W4S STP-SE.

Besides the outstanding sound quality, It's also one of the most versatile components I've had in my system: fully balanced, remote controlled, channel balance and absolute phase controls (on the remote), converts unbalanced sources to balanced outputs, 3 RCA + 2 XLR input pairs, 2 RCA + 2 XLR output pairs, high input impedance and low output impedance that makes it compatible with almost anything... I used mine to compare multiple sources while hooked up to all kinds of amplifiers and it never let me down.

Its downside IMHO is rather utilitarian looks but I doubt you could find a better sounding and versatile linestage for the going price on the used market.

[AmpDesigner333]

Check out this thread:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154346.0

We're almost 100% sure we're going to make this....

DPA ---- Digital Amp Co Digital Preamp !

Features (very preliminary):
    · Digital Volume with Remote
    · 4 digital inputs: USB, Optical, 2 x coax
    · 2 analog inputs: Stereo Balanced, Stereo Single Ended
    · HT Bypass Mode
    · Digital Outputs: 2 x coax

Any thoughts?

[rebbi]

Check out this thread:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154346.0

We're almost 100% sure we're going to make this....

DPA ---- Digital Amp Co Digital Preamp !

Features (very preliminary):
    · Digital Volume with Remote
    · 4 digital inputs: USB, Optical, 2 x coax
    · 2 analog inputs: Stereo Balanced, Stereo Single Ended
    · HT Bypass Mode
    · Digital Outputs: 2 x coax

Any thoughts?

Hi, Tommy -
Thanks for the reply.
I think some sort of preamp to go with the Maraschino mono-blocks makes a heckuva lot of sense. I can see by the other thread that you referenced that there are others like me who would need an elegant way of integrating at least one analogue source (phono preamp or even a tuner) with a Cherry set-up. I was (and honestly still am) very interested in your products but ended up plunking down my $ on another amp today - an integrated pre-power-DAC combo unit - because going back to my tube-separates days (when I had to flip at least 6 switches just to play a CD) was unacceptable; plus, once you have an increasing number of people using your stuff for their main rigs and not on the desktop where everything is arm's length away, people (okay, people like me) are going to demand at least a volume remote.
So, there you have it.
I hope to get to listen to your stuff one of these days. By all accounts it's stellar.

By the way, I'm the guy originally from Philly who reminisced with you on the phone a month or two ago about Dorney Park in Allentown.   
Peace!

[LarryD56]

I'm using a Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE presently for a preamp and like it a lot, but would love to see all the cords and cables go bye-bye. I like DAC's way of thinking in regards to shortest signal path. My ears say it works. Yesterday, while I was moving all my equipment, cords, and 'stuff' to a new equipment stand I began looking at all the mess of cords that I will have to try and hide and how unsightly and lengthy the signal path was with all those cords. Maybe I'm thinking too far ahead, but wouldn't it be nice to have the amplifier, preamp, DAC, USB converter, and music server all in one cabinet. Maybe have separate power supplies for the different functions in another cabinet connected to the main unit by a single umbilical power cord. Maybe just a preamp, DAC, USB, & server in one cabinet for use with the Maraschinos. This would really shorten the signal path and make playing beautiful music much simpler and something aesthetically pleasing to the eyes due to a lack of the tangle of unsightly cords. What a savings some people could have by not having to buy a plethora of expensive cables. Maybe just an all digital unit without having to convert the signal.....even simpler. Maybe I'm just dreaming, but with the quality of sound your products put out this would be the ultimately Ultimate AIO (all in one). I want one.

Larry D.

[AmpDesigner333]

Some links about Cherry Amps (DAC4800A, Classic Cherry, Maraschino, MEGAschino)....

Topic:   Passive preamps
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=142870.0

Topic:  Balanced output tube preamps
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=78819.0

Topic:  P R E A M P S     for DAC4800A and Cherry
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79614.0

Topic:  Preamps ---- Calling all DAC4800A and Cherry Amp owners !
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103123.0

Topic:  What pre amp do you use on the Cherry, Maraschino or Ultra power amps??
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103123.0

Topic:  dac cherry amp with musica bella lusso preamp
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=150695.0

Topic:  Balanced Versus not Balanced
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=90960.0

Topic:  Need one analogue input - what preamps are you using with Maraschino’s?? <--- this thread
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=155183.0

Here's a thread about using passive preamps:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=142870.0

[rebbi]

Some links about Cherry Amps (DAC4800A, Classic Cherry, Maraschino, MEGAschino)....

Topic:   Passive preamps
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=142870.0

Topic:  Balanced output tube preamps
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=78819.0

Topic:  P R E A M P S     for DAC4800A and Cherry
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79614.0

Topic:  Preamps ---- Calling all DAC4800A and Cherry Amp owners !
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103123.0

Topic:  What pre amp do you use on the Cherry, Maraschino or Ultra power amps??
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103123.0

Topic:  dac cherry amp with musica bella lusso preamp
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=150695.0

Topic:  Balanced Versus not Balanced
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=90960.0

Topic:  Need one analogue input - what preamps are you using with Maraschino’s?? <--- this thread
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=155183.0

Very helpful, Tommy, thank you. If the integrated I purchased doesn't work out I'll try a pair of Cherries with a preamp with balanced connections.

[mfsoa]

With only one input consider a Stereo Maraschino. See if it might fit your needs.

Skip the preamp. Looks way cool with a matching 60V power supply.

http://www.cherryamp.com/stereo-maraschino-stm

[OzarkTom]

With only one input consider a Stereo Maraschino. See if it might fit your needs.

Skip the preamp. Looks way cool with a matching 60V power supply.

http://www.cherryamp.com/stereo-maraschino-stm

+1

[AmpDesigner333]

+1

Here’s the “STM Stack”

(top-to-bottom: Cherry USB, Cherry 130dB+ DAC DAC 2 HS, Cherry KING Stereo Maraschino, 1kW 60V Maraschino Power Supply)

[Shear Bliss VMPS]

Tommy,

I also would like to try your DPA preamp if it ever comes to reality, seems its just been talk for over two years. My preamp as of now is a Classe CP-35 MKII with digital read-out and balance in/outs.