Hi! I’m currently trying to build out a dedicated two-channel room, and I’m leaning toward McIntosh amp and preamp or integrated. I’ve read that there was some kind of “fade-in” problem with USB connections to the earlier DA1 module. Does anyone know if that’s been fixed in the DA2 module? Anyone using the DA2 connected to a Nucleus via USB? Do you have any problems?
If you go tubes, you can get a pre or integrated without a DAC module. There are certainly affordable dedicated DACs that sound better than the McIntosh internal DACs.
I no longer use the DA1 module but never had a fade-in problem, but I did have it skip the lead note to an album. While Mc charges $1k to have a dealer install the DA2 (which simply bolts in), an outboard DAC has much to recommend it.