DAC to power amp direct?

[AlmaataKZ]

Folks,

Can a DAC be fed directly into a power amp? Say, if I have a Chordette gem fed from a computer (so volume can be controlled via ipod touch+itunes), can I deal with amplification just with a power amp and no pre-amp?

 

[daveh75]

You'd need to use a DAC that has a Pre-amp intergrated into it.

Beresford's range all have this facility,as does MGL Audio's Mini DACPre and if you've got deeper pockets Benchmarks range too.

I'm sure there's other's too.

 

[John Duncan]

Agreed on your recommendations Dave, but for different reasons - it would certainly work the way the OP suggests, but I wouldn't recommend it - using iTunes (et al) as a volume control could introduce quite a bit of digital distortion, since you might have to have it set at 10% just to get normal volume levels. And the iTunes volume control does it by throwing away bits...

So a DAC/preamp is a better idea.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Thanks, guys, excellent info.

Just as I started thinking that if I use a pre-amp equipped DAC I will probably not have remote control of volume as I checked the links and realised that I can have remote with some of those babies (optional with MGL and on a model with Benchmark).... what sort of prices are the Benchmarks?

edit: oops! Benchmark DAC1 HDR - 2000 GBP. outside budget.