Hello all,
I'm putting together my first "real" stereo system and, after doing a lot of googling, find myself in need of some advice. My current plan is to stream from my iPhone to my Airport Express to a DAC and power amplifier. What I'm wondering, however, is whether I need a DAC with a volume control if I'm not planning on using a preamp. When I use my Airport Express in analog mode, my phone's volume control seems to work as expected. Will this still be the case if I'm using the Airport's optical signal?
Apologies if this has been discussed already. I haven't been able to turn up anything definitive.
Thanks,
Mike
P.S. How do either of these sound for a first system:
(1) Airport Express > Emotive XDA-1 > Emotiva UPA-2 > Magnepan MMGs
(2) Airport Express > HeadRoom Micro DAC > Audio Magus Pop Pulse T150 > PSB Image B6 speakers
Of course, the choice of DAC will depend on the answer to my question about the need for a volume control. What other DACs can people recommend? I'm looking to stay under about $300 for the DAC (under $200 would be great), but even at this price the options are overwhelming.
P.P.S. I've just posted the same question at Head-fi, where I have also been lurking for a while, so apologies if some of you end up reading this twice. Since I plan on living with this system for a long time, I'm trying to cast a broad net to get as much advice as possible.
Hello all,
I'm putting together my first "real" stereo system and, after doing a lot of googling, find myself in need of some advice. My current plan is to stream from my iPhone to my Airport Express to a DAC and power amplifier. What I'm wondering, however, is whether I need a DAC with a volume control if I'm not planning on using a preamp. When I use my Airport Express in analog mode, my phone's volume control seems to work as expected. Will this still be the case if I'm using the Airport's optical signal?
Apologies if this has been discussed already. I haven't been able to turn up anything definitive.
Thanks,
Mike
P.S. How do either of these sound for a first system:
(1) Airport Express > Emotive XDA-1 > Emotiva UPA-2 > Magnepan MMGs
(2) Airport Express > HeadRoom Micro DAC > Audio Magus Pop Pulse T150 > PSB Image B6 speakers
Of course, the choice of DAC will depend on the answer to my question about the need for a volume control. What other DACs can people recommend? I'm looking to stay under about $300 for the DAC (under $200 would be great), but even at this price the options are overwhelming.
P.P.S. I've just posted the same question at Head-fi, where I have also been lurking for a while, so apologies if some of you end up reading this twice. Since I plan on living with this system for a long time, I'm trying to cast a broad net to get as much advice as possible.