Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Audiobytes amp problem

Using the Marantz would then limit you to just that single device, and to a 2.0 channel output with no bass control. And yea, you can't plug both devices into the same amp at the same time. (you have to watch where the current flows).

I just don't see the point. The only reason to get an external DAC is that you don't really like the DAC that comes with with the Pre-Amp / Receiver that you have, the old pre-amp you have doesn;t have a built in DAC, or just don't want the bother of having a pre-amp at all and want to make do with as stripped down a setup as possible.

I could see if you were getting something like the LakeWest MDAC2 project (that is now the FDAC) where you are taking a DAC well beyond the sound and electronics range that any mass market unit will ever go. That I can see would be an ideal candidate for going direct to a high end amp.


I have a relatively cheep AudioEngine D1 usb DAC that I pug into my iMac, that feeds to a likewise cheep Fiio A1 digital amp that powers some small Sony speakers on my desk. I had looked into (and bought) a set of the Axiom M3 computer speakers, but they were simply too large and as the volume controls are so badly placed on the back of the speakers, they have been left in the box unused. There is a perfect use for an external DAC in my opinion.

I don't know if the Marantz dac really offers much better performance over what comes in the Yamaha to say it is worth hooking it up.