Oppo 103 as preamp

[highstream]

It's been so long since I used separate preamp to amp to speakers setup that I need to ask this to get my bearings straight conceptually. My 2.0 HDTV setup is an Oppo 103 to a PS Audio Directstream dac (coax) and to the TV, with the dac connected to powered speakers via unbalanced interconnects. So cable box aside, both music and video start with the Oppo, while volume is controlled from the dac's remote (Oppo's volume set at 100). In this case, is the Oppo serving as a preamp to the amplified speakers, or would a preamp have to be between the dac and speakers? Thanks,

 

[lovinthehd]

Why are you using the PS Audio dac? Why not simply use the Oppo? It has a dac and can function as a pre-amp....

 

[highstream]

Sound quality. I didn't realize until today looking at this or another forum that the 103 had a dac - it's not mentioned as such in any of their write ups or user comments I ever saw. Initially, I tried the 105 first and was unimpressed with the dac, so returned it for a returned 103 and found a good deal on a used PowerWave Dac with a Directstream kit that hadn't been installed. But that's not really the question any more.

 

[lovinthehd]

Sound quality. I didn't realize until today looking at this or another forum that the 103 had a dac - it's not mentioned as such in any of their write ups or user comments I ever saw. Initially, I tried the 105 first and was unimpressed with the dac, so returned it for a returned 103 and found a good deal on a used PowerWave Dac with a Directstream kit that hadn't been installed. But that's not really the question any more.

Yes, it has analog outputs, how did you think those worked without a dac?

I don't know how much it can act as a pre-amp vs a dedicated unit, but not sure what specific pre-amp duties you'd ask of it. I think the 105 has more extensive capabilities in that regard.

 

[highstream]

Naively and in some ignorance of the technical side, I expected a dac to be called a dac, just as the Oppo had labeled part of the 105's functions. Stupid me.

In a search, I found a few other threads in this forum that spoke to the 103 serving as a preamp. As my OP indicates, I'm wondering about its role in that capacity relative to its placement in my chain of components.

 

[lovinthehd]

I think the 105 has more capabilities and perhaps connectivity but not an Oppo guy. This from their website outlines primary differences. Is the only source of audio the 103? The 103 does have volume control? How about tone control? Do you need more such as speaker levels/delays? I didn't read the manual but would think most of the answers would be there as to what it can do for you.

 

[highstream]

All audio passes through the Oppo, whether from the cable box or from something inserted/plugged into the Oppo. My question as I understand it is not about capabilities - I think that's been discussed previously in other treads - but whether it functions as a preamp in its current placement in the chain.

 

[lovinthehd]

The 103's more acting as a switch since its passing everything digitally to your external dac which is somewhat functioning as a preamp with volume control (maybe tone control/eq as well?). You mention the volume is maxed on the 103, can you still use the volume control in addition to that of the dac? Then they could both be acting as pre-amp to an extent in that case....

 

[PENG]

All audio passes through the Oppo, whether from the cable box or from something inserted/plugged into the Oppo. My question as I understand it is not about capabilities - I think that's been discussed previously in other treads - but whether it functions as a preamp in its current placement in the chain.

As lovinthehd said, the 103 is not acting as a preamp, the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC is. You are probably doing the right thing right now, but if you have the 105D then you really don't need the PS Audio DAC in the loop at all.