Piggybacking DACs

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Mag

Piggybacking DACs
« on: 27 Sep 2018, 07:37 am »
It has been my experience that piggybacking dacs can make a huge difference in sound. Typically though with an external dac input/outputs it is not possible to connect two together. So how do you do it?

Several years ago I did this by outputting my external dac to the input of Multi-channel receiver. The sound was much improved. However when I purchased a much better multi-channel pre-amp and piggybacked the dac the result was I instantly went to from hearing Mid-Fi to hearing Hi-Fi for the first time, my jaw hit the floor.

Unfortunately finding a quality pre-amp where you can piggyback the dac are few and far between so good luck finding one.

With my current state of the art cd player, there is no need to piggyback the output. I find that it marginally exceeds piggybacking dacs. I also run it through analog by-pass as it degrades the signal when run through the digital mode of multi-channel pre-amp. :smoke:

mav52

Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #1 on: 27 Sep 2018, 12:06 pm »
Just wondering. What is your state of the art CD player and what is your much better multi chl pre-amp

Shakeydeal

Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #2 on: 27 Sep 2018, 01:05 pm »
This seems like a silly thing to suggest. And I offer that if this improves one's system, there are other issues that need to be addressed.


Shakey

Elizabeth

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Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #3 on: 27 Sep 2018, 01:33 pm »
I have to chime in only on the  comment: "This seems like a silly thing to suggest. And I offer that if this improves one's system, there are other issues that need to be addressed."
Which may be offered with good intentions, but really is just slamming the op's idea.
I have nothing to offer on that op topic, but DO say that folks certainly have the right to try things out. And if they work for them? Good for them! That they should be able to offer them as ideas to others, and not get heckled for doing so.
(I have done stuff in the name of getting better sound and been attacked for doing so. So I know how it feels.)
Just because the idea is not on your list of great ideas, does not mean it is not something which may help someone else. Just sayin'.

Shakeydeal

Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #4 on: 27 Sep 2018, 02:50 pm »
I have to chime in only on the  comment: "This seems like a silly thing to suggest. And I offer that if this improves one's system, there are other issues that need to be addressed."
Which may be offered with good intentions, but really is just slamming the op's idea.
I have nothing to offer on that op topic, but DO say that folks certainly have the right to try things out. And if they work for them? Good for them! That they should be able to offer them as ideas to others, and not get heckled for doing so.
(I have done stuff in the name of getting better sound and been attacked for doing so. So I know how it feels.)
Just because the idea is not on your list of great ideas, does not mean it is not something which may help someone else. Just sayin'.


Just to be clear. All ideas should only receive positive feedback?

This is an open forum. I understand that name calling and generally being nasty are not allowed. But sometimes people are going to disagree and in those instances, that too is an opportunity for a shared opinion.

Elizabeth, I understand your post, since you also used two line stage preamplifiers in conjunction several years ago.  :duh:

So, if the OP thinks it sounds good, more power to him. And everyone is welcome to follow suit if they like.

Again, not "slamming", just opining.

Shakey

mav52

Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #5 on: 27 Sep 2018, 03:27 pm »
The OP should have noted his gear that was used in his test.   And I agree with Shakey  IF the OP likes the sound he is getting great, awesome and fantastic , just provide some more meat so we the readers understand more about his changes,.  I have two pre's a W4S STP-SE and a AR LS27. And I have a few dacs/network players (Lumin, Holo LV3, Ayre Codex)  and a Marantz pro

Mag

Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #6 on: 27 Sep 2018, 05:00 pm »
The OP should have noted his gear that was used in his test.   And I agree with Shakey  IF the OP likes the sound he is getting great, awesome and fantastic , just provide some more meat so we the readers understand more about his changes,.  I have two pre's a W4S STP-SE and a AR LS27. And I have a few dacs/network players (Lumin, Holo LV3, Ayre Codex)  and a Marantz pro

I didn't want to mention brand name in Music Circle in order to be neutral. So I'll change hats.

It's not a test, it works,I've been piggybacking dac for at over 10 years.

Okay, using concert Blu ray for best results, I am using a Sony BDP S185 to Bryston BDA-1 to Bryston SP2 to Yamaha MG10 mixer to two Bryston 3B SST/2 for 4 channel stereo, Model T and Paradigm Studio 100 v2 speakers.

 The dac is sampling the uncompressed concert blu ray to 48/192 and the SP2 samples it again to 48/96.

Any other source material, streaming, cd, dvd, digital files will have elevated output. :smoke:

Mag

Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #7 on: 27 Sep 2018, 05:33 pm »
Sorry , screwed up the move to Bryston Circle.

Letitroll98

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Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #8 on: 27 Sep 2018, 06:27 pm »
Just sent a note to JohnR, he'll fix it.

Well I don't want to be a Debby Downer, but you had good results piggybacking two dacs, then got better sound quality from a new cdp, if I read you right.  So what you needed was a new and better dac, not to piggyback dacs?  Forgive me if I'm a little confused here.  Secondly can you describe how you hooked up the two dacs, did you have a digital out on one?  Thanks.

Mag

Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #9 on: 27 Sep 2018, 06:59 pm »
I docter recordings and play them with the BCD-3. I can tell with the same recordings that the BCD-3 exceeds piggybacking the dacs on playback.

 For computer audio I use USB, Sony Blu ray Coaxial, BDP-1 AES & SPDIf to BDA-1. Analog Outs from BDA-1 to Analog In on SP2. BCD-3 2-channel bypass with BDA-1 stereo mode.

Shakeydeal

Re: Piggybacking DACs
« Reply #10 on: 27 Sep 2018, 07:01 pm »
Quote
So what you needed was a new and better dac, not to piggyback dacs?

Exactly!

It was a band aid approach when major surgery was the cure.........

Shakey