[philipp]

After significant time spent reading and researching audio equipment, I've become convinced the Van Alstine is going to supply me with my next pre- and power amp for the coming decade. I'm expecting to have the necessary money saved in approximately six months. I can't wait!!

Since there's still so much time and Christmas is just around the corner, I'd like to make a wish to Santa Van Alstine for the coming year. Please consider incorporating your DAC into your pre-amps. Your phono stage, phase inverter, and tape buffer are all available as add-ons. The cost savings is significant over the stand-alone units. It seems that the DAC would be much more affordable as an addition to your pre-amp.

Why would you do this? Consider my system: 3 analog units -- a VHS deck, a cable box and a turntable -- and 3 digital units --- a DVD player, a CD player and a laptop feeding music over a wireless network from a big hard drive in my studio at the other end of the house. The DVD and CD players both have optical outs (both coaxial and toslink) and the laptop has a USB2 out. These three units would benefit significantly from your DAC yet your DAC has only one input and exists only as an expensive stand-alone unit.

Please consider offering your DAC as an add-on to your pre-amp and trade three of your analog inputs for digital ones. Or if you're not inclined to go with my first wish, then please consider incorporating multiple inputs into your stand-alone DAC. This would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Phil

[avahifi_lj]

Hi:

Thanks for your question and comments.  Combining a DAC and preamp is much more difficult than adding in the tape buffers, inverts and phono section.  Simply stated, in the tube preamps there is no room in the chassis for the DAC circuit boards.  The board(s) used in the tube preamps take almost all of the available space.  We are able to add the tape buffers and inverter because we use a solid state OmegaStar circuit that can be built on a small board (mounted vertically next to the main board).

In the past, we had experimented with an OmegaStar preamp and OmegaStar DAC in a single SL chassis.  While there is room in the chassis, we were never happy with the product due to a bit of background noise.  Because the digital domain circuit was so close to the analog amplifier circuit we could not reduce the noise to an acceptable level.

Having multiple inputs into the DAC has been talked about.  At this point I don't know what the interest would be, or what people would be willing to pay for multiple inputs.

Thanks

Larry

[WEEZ]

I've often wondered if the EC chassis would would work for applications like an integrated DAC. Maybe in lieu of the phono section, the DAC curcuits would fit?

(the tone control curcuits would likely have to go; maybe even the headphone amp)

FWIW....

WEEZ

[philipp]

Thanks for your reply, Larry. I wouldn't want the value of your DAC to be compromised by other circuits in the pre-amp. And Weez, I would definitely not want to remove any of the other components available in the Omega EC. I guess I want them all!

But I will be the first to say that multiple inputs on the Omega DAC would be a serious "deal maker" for me. To tell the truth, I couldn't justify the purchase without them. But as it is, I'm saving for a pre and power amp. It will be a little while before I'm ready and able to buy the DAC. Nothing wrong with putting the idea out there now, though!

[Montobo]

then please consider incorporating multiple inputs into your stand-alone DAC.  ...

I think you might want to go with some sort of outboard switching system.

I would try using inexpensive optical to coax converters connected to a coax RCA 75 ohm switch box--unless you can find an affordable switch box to accommodate BOTH optical and coax digital lines.

Here's one switch box.

http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?off=0&sort=prod

It is pricey, but that's the idea, I think.  You could probably find something cheaper.  Maybe try AV suppliers?? (I don't know...I don't use them.)

Or use a RCA coax patch bay.  Or make your own small patchbay for the cheapest solution.

For this kind of stuff, I might try:

Markertek, http://www.markertek.com/
BSW, http://www.bswusa.com/main.asp
Sweetwater, http://www.sweetwater.com/
Full Compass, http://www.fullcompass.com/
Musician's Friend, http://www.musiciansfriend.com/
Parts Express, http://www.partsexpress.com/

I hope this helps.  Good luck!!