5.1+ Processors with Best DACs/Preamps?

[oltos]

For the 5.3 system I want to build, my plan was to have JRiver feed Blu Ray disc audio to this MCH DAC via USB. https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8pro.htm
https://www.stereophile.com/content/okto-research-dac8-pro-da-processor

But like most DACs, the Okto’s balanced outputs only deliver ~ 4.1 volts, which KR found insufficient to drive his power amps (Benchmark AHB2, NAD C298) with DIRAC Live 3 enabled. Thus, all balanced outputs of this processor would need to supply a minimum of 10 volts/channel to offset DIRAC gain losses of almost 20db https://www.sowter.co.uk/decibels.php , as KR mentioned in his review of the Topping Pre90. https://www.stereophile.com/content/topping-pre90-line-preamplifier

Unfortunately, there are no 8-channel preamps available, either from audiophile or pro audio brands. KR's fix was to buy three Topping preamps, which as shown in Fig. 3 its balanced outputs deliver very low distortion, and which virtually continues decreasing well beyond 10 volts. https://www.stereophile.com/content/topping-pre90-line-preamplifier-measurements

But stacking three Pre90 preamps doesn't seem the most elegant solution, and KR mentioned that struggling with the Pre90's crappy remote is no fun.

So unless I find a reputable builder to affordably custom design a MCH preamp (any recommendations??), the only alternative would be a MCH processor with a DAC section at least as good, but ideally far better than the Okto, and with all balanced outputs delivering at least 10 or 12 volts/channel.

If yes, how likely could its own master volume/mute remote control allow reducing all balanced outputs to ~ 5 volts or less without any loss of resolution and perceptible dynamic range?

If yes, which model (s) would also have a pair of high quality potentiometers for selectively setting levels of the front and rear/side speakers-like the ones John Curl used for designing the JC-2 preamp https://www.partsconnexion.com/tkd-potentiomters.html , which JA raved about going head to head against his Levinson 380S? https://www.stereophile.com/solidpreamps/308para/index.html See p. 10-11. https://parasound.com/pdfs/JC2Manual.pdf

Theta Digital are the only MCH processors I’m aware of which might have DAC sections at least equaling the Okto DAC 8 Pro, though I doubt its preamp performance would match that of the Parasound JC-2.

Please suggest brands/models.

Ideally, such processors would also be customizable, allowing omission of video and unbalanced connectivity, thereby minimizing final cost.

 

[fmw]

I don't recommend products I haven't used myself but I will suggest that you should ignore most things you read in Stereophile and other magazines of that type. In audio there is a huge chasm between theory and practice, biased and unbiased hearing. I would recommend you choose whichever processor lights your fire and enjoy the results without worry. Remember, sound quality comes from speakers and room acoustics. Everything else is fairly trivial. You might guess that I am a reformed high end audiophile. You would be right.

 

[j_garcia]

Topping is unfortunately one of the worst brands for quality I have ever owned. I bought one amp, it had an issue out of the box. They replaced it and the second one had an entirely different issue.

Agree with fmw, I have tried and listened to a ton of devices and if you are after the best sound, your money is best put toward the speakers.

 

[oltos]

Topping is unfortunately one of the worst brands for quality I have ever owned. I bought one amp, it had an issue out of the box. They replaced it and the second one had an entirely different issue.

Agree with fmw, I have tried and listened to a ton of devices and if you are after the best sound, your money is best put toward the speakers.

Hmm, you would never think so judging by the above Stereophile review. You have to admit the Atkinson found that Pre90 preamp measured very well in all respects. I just hope that I won't have end up buying three of them to achieve what I want to do in 5.1.

Likewise, I hope there are no QC issues with those Okto DACs. Sadly, except for exaSound Audio Design > Products > s88 Streaming DAC , if you need balanced outputs, which I do, the Okto is the ONLY straight MCH DAC available. I don't think there are even pro audio models available, save for impractical Pyramix solutions, maybe. I emailed Benchmark and Prism to ask to request such models; awaiting replies.

I keep on hearing Nelson Pass in my head: "Doing this stuff's supposed to be fun." Yeah, right.

Meanwhile, .........if those issues weren't bad enough:

Subject: Any High End Processors Supporting Lossless 5.1 Audio via JRiver/PowerDVD/VLC players?

While many today choose to stream content, I play lots of 1080p BDs and DVDs, and much prefer using these Windows players. JRiver Media Center The Best Blu-ray and 8K Media Player for Windows | PowerDVD - CyberLink VLC: Official site - Free multimedia solutions for all OS! - VideoLAN

They decode DTS-MA to a lossless MCH PCM signal, play all region discs and have the zoom and slow motion features which I often enjoy using, but which are found in practically no hard wired BD players.

Thus, my pc would need to output the video via HDMI, either to the processor or directly to my TV. But as neither SPDIF nor AES/EBU can transmit lossless MCH audio, the processor would need to have a USB audio input to do so, to be fed from my pc, like this DAC has. exaSound Audio Design > Products > s88 Streaming DAC

But regardless of brand, design or price it seems that few if any MCH processors have a USB audio input.

SP3 – Bryston
Maestro X7 - AudioControl
McIntosh MX100 A/V Processor https://nadelectronics.com/product/m17-v2i-srround-sound-preamp-processor/

And even if they did, could perfect syncing and quality of the video and PCM 5.1 audio from the Blu-Ray disk be assured, when played via any of these three Windows players?