The input impedance is set internally in the PRE90, so no external adapters could brute force anything higher.Is there an adapter xlr that can increase a low impedance to high impedance? Maybe could plug this adapter to the input xlr of pre90 to increase its impedance.
Thank You for the response.I was searching for PA5 input impedance on the net but could not find it.Good to know it's 10k.PA5 input impedance is about 10K, so it should be fine for the Ares 2. New firmware on Ares 2 allows for volume control, but not sure of the quality.. Using the analog volume on the PA5 might have the best sound quality. D30 is definitely compatible with PA5, but if you already bought the Ares you could test out that volume control and see how it works with the remote. It has a remote right?
The remote of Denon DNP 800 volume works only when the variable analog/rca outputs is used. The volume on remote control does not work when the optical out is used to feed a external dacCan’t you control the volume on the Denon? I mean if it has volume control, I don’t know.
At that point, it's up to you if you want to get rid of the Ares and use something like the D30 and control the volume digitally, or keep the Ares and get a preamp with analog control with remote. I found that getting up to control the amp isn't that terrible after awhile, but I kind of want to get a remote-controlled pre-amp like the A90 Discrete or something... (A90 Discrete has the same balanced input impedance as Pre90 so balanced Ares wouldn't work). Good luck with the decision!The remote of Denon DNP 800 volume works only when the variable analog/rca outputs is used. The volume on remote control does not work when the optical out is used to feed a external dac
Valuable insights for me.Thanks.At that point, it's up to you if you want to get rid of the Ares and use something like the D30 and control the volume digitally, or keep the Ares and get a preamp with analog control with remote. I found that getting up to control the amp isn't that terrible after awhile, but I kind of want to get a remote-controlled pre-amp like the A90 Discrete or something... (A90 Discrete has the same balanced input impedance as Pre90 so balanced Ares wouldn't work). Good luck with the decision!
Will the Schiit Freya S as a preamp work without the impedance issues ?Then it's Ares2 to Freya S to PA3At that point, it's up to you if you want to get rid of the Ares and use something like the D30 and control the volume digitally, or keep the Ares and get a preamp with analog control with remote. I found that getting up to control the amp isn't that terrible after awhile, but I kind of want to get a remote-controlled pre-amp like the A90 Discrete or something... (A90 Discrete has the same balanced input impedance as Pre90 so balanced Ares wouldn't work). Good luck with the decision!
I'm assuming it will work but you'd have to check the input impedance and do the math. As long as the input impedance is at least 8-10 times greater than the output impedance of the ares II (balanced is 1250ohms), than you should be fineWill the Schiit Freya S as a preamp work without the impedance issues ?Then it's Ares2 to Freya S to PA3
In future when prices cool down for purifi amps with XLR inputs i can continue to keep the Ares2 ,Freya in the chain.
Sharing the info as it may help other folks.As specs are subject to change do visit mfr website to verify before buying.I'm assuming it will work but you'd have to check the input impedance and do the math. As long as the input impedance is at least 8-10 times greater than the output impedance of the ares II (balanced is 1250ohms), than you should be fine
It’s one set of outputs at a time that is the warning.For starters make sure you only have one set of inputs connected on the Ares, there’s a warning about it in the manual. If the issue is real you can indeed try the RCAs, it may work better due to higher impedance on the Pre90 for single ended. If that fails too you’ll need a different preamp with high input impedance. Or use digital volume control as suggested earlier.
Hi Veri. Does that mean that i would get a better impedance match or better sound quality going from an Ares II to the Pre90 via RCA than via XLR?The RCA input impedance is better at 10k though. So that can be an option to use.
Are you using XLR right now? Do you have any problems at all? If no, it's probably fine.Hi Veri. Does that mean that i would get a better impedance match or better sound quality going from an Ares II to the Pre90 via RCA than via XLR?
Hi again. It’s not exactly like that. I own a Pre90 (which currently is back at where i bought it from because of loud popping noises) and would like to upgrade from my Topping E30 (RCA output) to an Ares. I am considering these impedance issues which have been mentioned to decide if I pull the trigger on the Ares II and give it a try or rather another DAC with lower impedance. I guess I must try it both ways and see if it works as you say. Or get a different Pre at some point…Are you using XLR right now? Do you have any problems at all? If no, it's probably fine.
Thanks for the inputObjectively I don’t think it’s a good stackup. Go RCA and you throw away half of the R2R ladder. Go XLR and your impedance does not match so nicely. Pick your poison or choose something else, I would say.
I just noticed for the Option 2, you mentioned Gustard A26... should have been "Gustard P26", A26 is another dac...Sharing the info as it may help other folks.As specs are subject to change do visit mfr website to verify before buying.
Preamp options:
Option 1 Ares 2 to Freya S to PA5
Option 2 Ares 2 to Gustard A26 to PA5
Ares2 output impedance XLR 1250 Ω to Freya- S input impedance 10K ; Freya-S output impedance XLR 600 R (balanced) to PA5 input impedance 10K
Gustard with input impedace 47K ; output impedance 100R seems better for my application where i would connect a power amp ie PA5 or equivalent.
https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-s
PA5 input impedance posted/mentioned in ASR by Topping in PA5 discussions
GUSTARD P26 LM49860 Preamplifier
GUSTARD P26 technical characteristics: Because the DIP8 had been discontinued, the new batch LME49860 was changed to SO-8 version without op-amp socket. ***The P26 preamp uses the new remote control, please press and hold the AMP button for more than 3 seconds to enter the P26 preamp operation...shenzhenaudio.com
Ha! But you risk perpetuating the myth that digital volume controls lose fidelity in “whole bit” increments. Maybe some do, but most work by attenuating the signal in floating point and then converting to PCM, so they are still 16 or 24 bit accurate, just quieter.One bit for every 6.02 dB of attenuation.