My pinpoint questions exactly, Jeff.
http://www.teac.com/product/nt-503/What has my attention:
The NT-503 up-converts 16-bit/44.1kHz data from a conventional CD into 11.2MHz DSD.
PCM/DSD Filters Provide a Multifaceted Personality from a Single Unit. In addition to four types of PCM digital filters and an OFF mode, the unit has two types of DSD digital filters.
+, you can read about the Preamp section at the bottom of the Link/or, click the tab/main features. It is running in the analog domain coming from the D/A, a fully-balanced circuit design from the output of the D/A Converters and Volume Amplifier section.
BIG QUESTION FOR ME: How transparent/fluid is this Preamp (being direcly in the unit bodes well)? However, running it in fixed output mode/bypassing the Pre is fine too...long as it can be done. However, I would love to have the remote volume control.....even though I have gone all purest with no Pre as of late.
Returning the Tekton's (the Monoliths are kicking arse), affords me to order one from Crutchfield and wait on receiving a ZBIT. I will wait and see how it all fleshes out from Steve.......first. Maybe, I'll stick with his all in one unit, as I did with my ZDSD Tranny outputed.
Listening Room:
Room Treatments from Michael Green & Home Brew
Sony as Transport (DVP-NS57P)
Illuminati D-60 Digital Coax IC
Shunyata Research Zitron Alpha Digital Power Cord to ZDSD
{Extremely Significant}
Decware ZDSD DAC / Recorder ++
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W/Steve's Output Transformer's/kicking to the Curb quite a few superb DAC'S!
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(@ -20 Ref Level, 0.0 Input volume and @ 16/192)
WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030 ~.75 meter
Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier
~BIASED at *56* mA~
(NOS/Platinum/Mullard E188CC/7308's in my A12 an B12 Input positions Cryogenic~NOS/Platinum/Telefunken E88CC for Inverter Tubes~NOS RCA 0A3's & matched Quad/Tung-Sol KT66's)
ZMA adjusted at 20% to 30-40% max ~ from 0 Gain
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Kimber Select KS6063 Speaker Cable 8ft WBT-0681-Ag Spades
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Kimber 8TC new/white & clear jacket/to remind me of how fluid/timbre correct and good the KS6063 are!
Decware DM947 Monoliths (Midrange modification/Wave Guide)
w/PX Clarity Caps ......Duelund, StealthCap or Mundorf MCap Supremes possibly pending.....
Acoustic Zen Adagio - Black Pearl (Modified)
.....from 8ohm Taps.
Acoustic Zen Adagio's x-over's Modified/Full Range with Mundorf MCap Supremes-single Cap to each Tweeter/4.5k cross
(Gutted: 3kHz/18dB/Octave, Linkwitz/Riley Crossovers....with all crappy parts = gone)
XLO Pro Power Cord to ZMA
PS Audio P3 Power Plant / Pangea AC-9SE from wall to P3
(Transport and ZDSD, Regenerated/*120*~ Multiwave off...ZMA on High Current Output)
++ ZDSD DAC, kicked to the Curb: Auralic Vega, PS Audio PWT & PWD, PS Audio Direct Stream DAC, Chord Qute, NAD M51 (twice) & Schiit Yggdrasil.
~NOS Platinum Tubes from Upscale Audio/Kevin:
(Great Britain) Mullard 7308/E188CC ~ 2 pair (both pair Cryogenic)
(Germany) Telefunken E88CC ~ 1 pair (painfully expensive/worth it)
(US/Great Britain) Ediswan CV2492/6922 ~ 2 pair (one pair Cryogenic)
(Hungary) Tungsram 6922/E88CC ~ 1 pair
(Hungary) Tungsram PCC88/7DJ8 ~ 1 pair.
From Cryoset:
(Russia) 6N23N/P-EB ~ 2 pair
(Russia) 6N23P's ~ 2 pair/came with ZMA.