Totaldac Amp-1 poweramp debuted at Munich Hi-end 2019

I would like to open a thread on the new Totaldac Amp-1 poweramp on the WBF Amp/Preamp Forum.

Here is its specifications and pricings :
http://www.totaldac.com/amp-1-en.htm

The Amp-1 was debuted at the Munich Hi-end 2019 held earlier this month :
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2019/05/totaldac-world-premiere-of-amp-1.html#more

Despite Amp-1 is the first poweramp of Totaldac, it has received many praises, from both Munich show visitors & reviews/media.
There were 3 sets of Magico M6 loudspeaker at the Munich 2019, paired up with diff amps. Many of the show visitors opined that the M6 driven by Amp-1 gave the best/most musical/most enjoyable performance.

Here is one of the praising professional reviews :
https://www.audiostream.com/content/high-end-munich-2019-totaldac-brings-totalpower-dac-line

I very much hope that the HK Totaldac dealer will get an Amp-1 for demo very soon.
I have full confidence in its performance.
Also, the pricing of Amp-1 is reasonable, considering that its performance is on par with flagship poweramps of other brands which can be 2 or 3 times more expensive!

 

installed in demo room!

View attachment 57457

Very nice! A setup to die for!

 

Mono&stereo has just tested and chosen the Totaldac Amp-1 amplifier as their reference amplifier.
https://www.monoandstereo.com/p/reference-system.html#more

The amplifier installed on the floor between the speakers on this photo:

The d1-driver is also used as reference preamp in this reviewer set-up.

 

Just for clarification:
What are the differences between the d1-driver (gain 1) and a preamp of similar quality.
I know that d1-driver has no volume control and no multiple Inputs.
Thanks

Matt

 

Just for clarification:
What are the differences between the d1-driver (gain 1) and a preamp of similar quality.
I know that d1-driver has no volume control and no multiple Inputs.

The design of the d1-driver was a complete focus on its buffer stage, when many preamps focus first on the volume control first, with versatility of several kinds, the high gain being one of them. Each part in a preamp adds its own sound, even the relays and wires, and at the end you can hear many different added sounds, making it more difficult to listen to.

The d1-driver was designed to prevent the electrical feedback of the speaker from entering back into the DAC. That's the key point. This give the feeling of high control, at all frequencies, not only in bass.

It was also designed to have an almost unmeasurable low noise, which would have been much more difficult, if not impossible, with a traditional preamp. So when you set the DAC volume to maximum the noise in the speaker doesn't increase. It stays as low as when listening to very low level. This gives the required dynamic for symphonic music for example.

 

The design of the d1-driver was a complete focus on its buffer stage, when many preamps focus first on the volume control first, with versatility of several kinds, the high gain being one of them. Each part in a preamp adds its own sound, even the relays and wires, and at the end you can hear many different added sounds, making it more difficult to listen to.
The d1-driver was designed to prevent the electrical feedback of the speaker from entering back into the DAC. That's the key point. This give the feeling of high control, at all frequencies, not only in bass.
It was also designed to have an almost unmeasurable low noise, which would have been much more difficult, if not impossible, with a traditional preamp. So when you set the DAC volume to maximum the noise in the speaker doesn't increase. It stays as low as when listening to very low level. This gives the required dynamic for symphonic music for example.

This sounds good, but what shall I do when I need hardware volume control?
Thanks

Matt

 

This sounds good, but what shall I do when I need hardware volume control?
Thanks

Matt

The d1-driver is made first for DACs having a good volume control.
All Totaldac DACs have such a volume control.
It is has also been tested several times with success with a MSB Select.

The Amp-1 amplifier has 2 inputs in option. So you can connect the d1-driver at one input, and a turntable + traditional preamp at the other input.
This way you have a traditional turntable system one side, and an optimized digital system the other side.

 

Thanks,
do you have experiences with Audirvana VC with d1-driver?
Thanks

Matt

 

Thanks,
do you have experiences with Audirvana VC with d1-driver?
Thanks

Matt

Not specific experience, but I met Damien last weekend, he said he uses very good algorythm. Then it depends also on the small signal capability of your DAC.

 

Not specific experience, but I met Damien last weekend, he said he uses very good algorythm. Then it depends also on the small signal capability of your DAC.

The problem I see is that I use 99dB sensitivity speakers. So software VC operates with much attenuation where it is lossy.

Matt

 

The problem I see is that I use 99dB sensitivity speakers. So software VC operates with much attenuation where it is lossy.

Matt

With 99dB it would be better to use amplifier with moderate gain and a DAC without too much output voltage.

I use 97dB speakers (d150-anniversary), with the Amp-1 amplifier having a 28dB gain, and it works great with the d1-twelve-mk2 (1.6Vrms output). The dynamic is unique, and no noise.

 

A new photo of the auditorium, with the Amp-1 ready to drive 3 different speakers in the same room:
-Totaldac d150-anniversary
-Magico M6
-Camerton bookshelves



http://www.totaldac.com/listening.htm

 

Here is an opinion by Taiko Audio about the d1-driver!
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/totaldac-d1-driver-the-pre-amplifier-driver.29500/

 

Hello Vincent,
Congratulations!

 

Thank you CKKeung!

 

A review if the Amp-1 amplifier is now online (in french):
http://www.totaldac.com/fichiers/Amp-1_test_haute_fidelite.pdf

 

Hello,
Some more comments about the amplifier and about mono&stereo "editor choice 2020" prize here:
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/amp-1-amplifier-best-of-2019-by-mono-stereo.29652/

 

Here is the Amp-1 amplifier driving a pair of Magico M6 speakers:

 

Hi,
I completely agree with the comments above, on the sidelines of everything I heard as music at the Hifideluxe
and at the high-end, the full Totaldac system on the Magico was very significant compared to the other proposals on these speakers,
with undoubtedly more intentions, involvment in the restitution proposed by Vincent and the chills of listening that goes with it !

I am now very much looking forward to having the opportunity to listen this in more favorable conditions, especially the Amp-1...
in my own system... one of these days... hopes, high hopes !

Nice job.
be in music

I was in Munich too.
The AMP1 is fabulous. I never listened the Magico like this...Very very musical.

 

Yes really, and I share that opinion having gone to Munich just to listen and absorb.

The TotalDAC amp was impressive and very musical...the TotalDAC Twelve Mk2 while not ultimately what I prefer (Esoteric or Wadax)
was very good and analog-like in its presentation at least as that room was setup.

The room was pleasing to listen to music in and had a lot of positive attributes. I preferred it too the MSB room, CH Precision and several other biggies, hands-down.

Also loved the sound of the new Esoteric P1X, D1X with C1 and M1 together with SF Amati speakers; good speakers but not their Aidas or anything bigger,...really let the quality of the D->A stack shine through...

Then there was the Wadax Stack, Engstrom pre-amp, amps and Goebel Divin Noblesse room that I thought was one of the top 3 rooms at the show.

Total agree with you.
As you, I preferred it too the MSB room, CH Precision and several other....

 

One of the best amps I've ever heard; Munich 2019 with the top of the line TotalDAC setup was truly special.