Transporter and Perreaux Audiant DAC D32 Pre-Amp

[Tim-Ann]

Hi there,

Time for a change I'm going back to ATC 150's actives with Anniversary amplifiers fitted so I thought I'd go for the Audiant D32 Pre-Amp because the thought the Transporter may benefit from one of the latest DAC's but a question can I connect the Transporter to the Pre-Amp is it possible to turn off the onboard DAC in the Transporter and then connect to the Pre-Amp and use its onboard DAC I intend to use the Balanced inputs and outputs on the Pre-Amp.

Any thoughts and ideas last time I had the ATC's I linked the Transporter direct using balanced inputs but was always unsure about the slim possible risk of going direct hence the purchase of the Pre-Amp.

Link to info re he pre-Amp; http://www.perreaux.com/assets/file/...-datasheet.pdf

Many thanks, Tim.

[cliveb]

can I connect the Transporter to the Pre-Amp is it possible to turn off the onboard DAC in the Transporter and then connect to the Pre-Amp and use its onboard DAC

You can't actually switch off the TP's DAC, but of course you can ignore it - just connect a digital output on the TP to one of the Perraux's digital inputs. Unfortunately the Perraux doesn't have a BNC coax input (which would be the best electrical connection from the TP). You could experiment with Toslink, RCA coax and AES/EBU connections to see which you prefer.

I intend to use the Balanced inputs and outputs on the Pre-Amp.

Actually the balanced digital input (AES/EBU) is not the best choice. Sean Adams has posted here in the past and explained why AES/EBU is not that good.

Of course you should use the Perraux's balanced outputs - driving the ATCs from an unbalanced source would lose you a lot of benefits.

Any thoughts and ideas last time I had the ATC's I linked the Transporter direct using balanced inputs but was always unsure about the slim possible risk of going direct hence the purchase of the Pre-Amp.

I drive my ATC SCM100As direct from the TP's balanced outputs (via 13dB attenuators for proper gain staging), and I've never had better sound. There is nothing "dangerous" about doing this. The only downside is the theoretical loss of S/N ratio through use of the TP's digital volume control, but in practice this isn't an issue at all. You should certainly consider driving your ATCs directly from the TP. If it gives you the sound you like, you can avoid the expense of buying a preamp at all.

[Mnyb]

You can't actually switch off the TP's DAC, but of course you can ignore it - just connect a digital output on the TP to one of the Perraux's digital inputs. Unfortunately the Perraux doesn't have a BNC coax input (which would be the best electrical connection from the TP). You could experiment with Toslink, RCA coax and AES/EBU connections to see which you prefer.


Actually the balanced digital input (AES/EBU) is not the best choice. Sean Adams has posted here in the past and explained why AES/EBU is not that good.

Of course you should use the Perraux's balanced outputs - driving the ATCs from an unbalanced source would lose you a lot of benefits.


I drive my ATC SCM100As direct from the TP's balanced outputs (via 13dB attenuators for proper gain staging), and I've never had better sound. There is nothing "dangerous" about doing this. The only downside is the theoretical loss of S/N ratio through use of the TP's digital volume control, but in practice this isn't an issue at all. You should certainly consider driving your ATCs directly from the TP. If it gives you the sound you like, you can avoid the expense of buying a preamp at all.

+1

the -13dB attenuation actually serves as good overload protection if you get some bug in the Transporter that outputs a burst of noise or anything , 10db reduces the potential power to 1/10 .

So direct driving is safe if you have proper attenuation for gain staging .

And as you say proper gain staging makes the loss of S/N with TP digital volume inaudible for all practical uses . and noise is noise in either analog or digital form a digital volume control is more precise in many aspects so it can actually be the better choice (for example perfect channel balance ).

[Tim-Ann]

Hi there,

Many thanks gentlemen, I think one of my thoughts was making use of the D32 DAC and the feeling of safety in using a Pre Amp, I guess it will be play time again next week, yippee, nut then not liking the thought of unpacking from their crates the ATC’s again.

CliveB please can I ask are your attenuator’s homemade or of the purchased type I do have a pair of Rothwell in line attenuators to reduce the signal level by 10dB so I guess I have another option here as well.

Thanks ever so much for your replies, anyone have any other idea or thoughts.

Tim.

[cliveb]

CliveB please can I ask are your attenuator’s homemade or of the purchased type I do have a pair of Rothwell in line attenuators to reduce the signal level by 10dB so I guess I have another option here as well.

My attenuators are homemade. It's a bit of a tight squeeze to fit four 1/4 watt metal film resistors into an XLR plug, but it can be done. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, the Rothwells will certainly do the job.

[Tim-Ann]

Hi there,

Thanks Clive we have had the conversation before when I last bought my ATC Anniversaries.

I remember then thinking no I don’t want to do that hence the Rothwell attenuators, I knew they would come in useful sometime.

Will report back on my trials and tribulations’ sometime in the near future.

Thanks every one for your input and guidance.

Tim.