Can i use MagicPlus Dac as preamp for Bose 901 VI?

hi, i see a log of bose 901 user here : )

i am building my new music system, and i bought the bose 901 VI ver2 as speakers. my trouble is, the 901s needs a active EQ hooked in the system, between pre amp and power amp, now i am buying the amplifier and DAC, and got confused...

the first option is buy NAD C375BEE with its MDC DAC module, safe option, since c375 is in 901's compatible lists. the only thing i am not sure is the DAC module, is it good? and it has only 1 optical input and i may need 2.

the other option is, buy c275 as power amp(same as c375, 150w@8oms per channel), and buy Cambridge audio Dac magic plus, as dac and preamp, magic plus has preamp function. the things i can't understand is, the output of magic plus is 2.1v rms(didn't see the max value), and c275's input sensitivity is 1.2v, that means, magic plus can drive the c275 to his max power rate, am i right? and what about i put the EQ between them? what would happen then? will the EQ change the voltage between pre amp and power amp? and makes the power amp can't put its power as expected?

i also noticed that, the C375's preamp part, output voltage could be 10v max, but the main amp part, the input sensitivity is the same as c275: 1.2v, why there is this big difference, my mean, in normal usage, the preOut and mainIn jacks are short-circuit, when the preOut output is higher than 1.2v, won't that bring "clipping"

I'm a bit confused, too, after reading your post. But, I'll give it a shot - yes, you could put the Bose EQ between the DAC and the amp, if you have no other sources. As for the differences in rated output and sensitivity, don't worry about them. Having more voltage available than you need is fine.

I've never liked using the Bose eq on a variable gain and Bose recommended against this for years until the nearly complete death of any other alternative. A functioning DAC is indistinguishable from any othe DAC. I'd go with the 375. Switch to a different digital output if you need a second digital in. They always have more than one out. Dac's are dime a dozen now anyhow.

RichPA said:

I'm a bit confused, too, after reading your post. But, I'll give it a shot - yes, you could put the Bose EQ between the DAC and the amp, if you have no other sources. As for the differences in rated output and sensitivity, don't worry about them. Having more voltage available than you need is fine.

Click to expand...

thank you, really hope so, i don't have any other input source except 2 opticals.

nclh77 said:

I've never liked using the Bose eq on a variable gain and Bose recommended against this for years until the nearly complete death of any other alternative. A functioning DAC is indistinguishable from any othe DAC. I'd go with the 375. Switch to a different digital output if you need a second digital in. They always have more than one out. Dac's are dime a dozen now anyhow.

Click to expand...

you mean going to c375 and use the tape monitor connection could be better than going thought the preOut and mainIn?

Would the signalling path be like this and has less noise since it will not be affected by the volume control of preAmp?

DAC->375 input->375 tape2-> Bose EQ -> 375 tape monitor->375 pre amp -> 375 main amp ->901 speakers

was thinking another option onkyo a-9070, it has buildin dac, preOut and mainIn.. and cheaper, but lower power.

The 375 has a DAC built in and I'm sure it will run inputs thru the tape loop. The NAD is going to have more power than the Onkyo and you need all the power you can get with the 901's. Avoid the pre-out. It can overload the Bose eq.