Hi all - so I’m running a Cascade into two VAC Statement 452 IQ Musicblocs - and bypassing my VAC Master Pre Amp. Are folks generally running the Cascade as a pre amp - or feeding into a pre amp - I’m evaluating both options and was curious what others are doing.
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Hi Adam,
first had the Cascade I did run it though a preamp, but then, to just simplify my system I took the preamp out of my system. I couldn’t be happier with the results.
So now I have Cascade directly→MSB M500s with no preamp and I am very satisfied with the results.
I also use one of the analog inputs for my phono stage output. The other analog input is used for my surround… the L and R from my stereo system doubles as the L and R for my surround system. The Cascade as a preamp is dead quiet and adds nothing to the signal.
I think the Cascade is fantastic as a preamp. I think, in general, in audio processing chains, less is more…
Dan
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Thanks Dan - that’s very helpful. The conventional wisdom is to run everything through a Pre - but I agree that the Cascade is a very capable Pre - and that there’s no obvious reason to defeat it’s pre out stage. The VAC Pre is hybrid - so it does add some additional tube color - and softness to the sound. That can be nice in certain situations.
Adam
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I had a VAC Sig pre that I at first ran my MSB Reference through. I then tested direct into my mono blocks which, at the time, were the Classe Delta Mono’s. I sold my VAC Sig. I now run my Cascade directly into my Momentum MxV mono’s. It sounds wonderful. I also send my Pass XP-27 phono stage into the Cascade, again the results are fabulous.
If you can exceed the level of volume you require with the 3.3v output of the Cascade with the level below 100 then a preamp is unnecessary. If not you’ll need a preamp.
If you feel you can get the volume you want without the preamp, but prefer the sound better with the preamp in place; your preamp is editorializing the signal in some way you find to be pleasing. That’s ok too but what gets to your amp isn’t the pure signal from the DAC. Something has been added or taken away. But you may find that pleasing
I run without a preamp. I’ve had a preamp in the signal path and prefer it without. I too run a turntable and have a Lampizator tube phonostage connected via XLR to the Cascade. The Lampizator has enough output voltage that the preamplifier remains unnecessary. The Cascade passes through the phonostage signal unaltered, only attenuated, through the latched/resistor array volume control in the Cascade
There is no wrong answer here. Only what your ears prefer.
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Got it - and very helpful! I’ve been A/B testing my Cascade with the VAC Master Pre stage - the VAC Pre rounds the sound considerably and I would describe it as an unwanted artifact. I listen at 85 out of 100 volume from the Cascade as my Pre - that roughly translates to a 85 decibel peak in my room -which is plenty for me.
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I reluctantly tried using my Cascade as a preamp. Once I got it set up, I will never go back. My system is quieter, and I’ve eliminated a piece of equipment. I highly recommend this approach to not only significantly quiet and simplify your system.
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Are the analog inputs of the Reference, Select, Cascade and Sentinel DACs suitable for vacuum tube phono preamps with moderately high output impedance? I can see that the XLR analog input on the Reference DAC has an input impedance of 100k ohms on XLR, presumably the optional RCA analog input module would be half of that value?
The analog inputs of the Reference, Select, Cascade, and Sentinel all have a high impedance analog input. There is a buffer in those products that matches the input to the low impedance passive volume control making them suitable for most input signals.
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Hi Aaron,
I’ve had both vacuum tube and SS phono stages plugged into the Cascade. Both work great. The Cascade has no noise and does nothing to the signal. Combine that with its passive level control and It is an outstanding pre-amp.
Dan
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I have a Lampizator tube phonostage direct to the Cascade. Works great.
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I cannot answer this, but believe you need a phono preamp. Why not call the factory. They are very helpful.
David Schlotterbeck
dschlotterbeck@cox.net
949 275 0688