Here you'll find answers to your most commonly asked questions.
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Amplifier Questions:
Q: Can I use a Passive Preamp to drive Maraschinos?
A: Yes. Maraschino has a very sensitive input stage and as such can be easily driven to full output by most modern sources. Many users find that a high quality passive is all that's required. Especially good results can be had with a TVC or magnetic preamp. Just know that Maraschino sounds best when driven fully balanced. If you haven't tried a passive preamp yet, contact us for recommendations here.
Q: How do I choose between In-Line and Desktop version?
A: Both are great choices. (We suggest a pair of each!) Seriously, the sonics are very similar. The In-Line Marashino is designed to be placed as close as possible to the speaker terminals to realize the very potent benefit of extremely short speaker wires. Our specially designed binding posts and locking connectors do a great job of getting all the music through and saving you a ton of money. In-Line Maraschino can be hidden anywhere, [she] won't even notice you got new amps! Desktop Maraschino on the other hand has a great look and a very solid mounting base. Whether you already have an expensive wire loom you love or you're starting with a clean slate factors into the equation. The simplest answer is another question: Do you want to show them off or do you want to hide them away?
Q: Can I place my Maraschino's on top of the power supplies?
A: Yes. The 60v power supply is housed in a very sturdy aluminum extrusion that will easily support the Desktop Maraschino. The Sorbothane footers attached to each unit will provide a cumulative effect when vibration damping is a concern. Maraschino amplifier enclosures are fully shielded assemblies so interference with the devices is not a concern. If you do place your Maraschino on top of the power supply, take advantage of our special DC_Snakes. See below.
Q: What is the Stereo Maraschino ( formerly known as MINT ) ?
A: The Stereo Maraschino is a two channel implementation of the Maraschino Amplifier Circuit plus input select (front/back), sleep control (on/off/auto), and volume control. Power is provided by a single, external, upgradeable power supply. There is a standard (48V) version and a KING version (60V). Output power is up to 250W with the standard version and up to 1000W with the KING version! The KING version also includes Gold WBT binding posts. All this in a beautiful, compact (7.8" x 6.5" x 2.3") extruded aluminum chassis on Sorbothane feet.
Measured Performance is expected to be as good or better than the current Maraschino monoblock design used in the Desktop and In-Line Maraschino Amplifiers. Want to read more? Try HERE.
DAC DAC Questions:
Q: I need to know more about the DAC DAC?
A: Yes, it's as good as you've heard. The DAC DAC came about something like WD-40 and Post-It's. A breakthrough was discovered in a new implementation of an extremely short and simplified output stage that was just too good not to build. By using extremely high quality parts in an unprecedented shortened layout, taking advantage of the fully balanced signal path, DAC DAC brings music to life the way other dacs just wish they could. TWO versions will be offered, Tube-Like and High-Spec. The sonics and discussion can be found here, available soon. Successful Kickstarter information here.
Q: Tell me about power supply for DAC DAC?
A: DAC DAC is powered by a simple ACtoDC wallplug 12v adapter. DAC DAC manages the DC power fed to it, and like all Digital Amplifier Company products doesnt have any desire for extra power cables, or expensive tweaks. DAC DAC sounds great right out of the box.
Power Supply Questions:
Q: Do I need special (fancy or expensive) power cables?
A: Nope. Digital Amplifier Company has designed the 60v power supply to have a high rejection ratio when it comes to noise on the power grid. The supply is virtually immune to the effects of sag, ripple, or just plain dirty power. Go ahead an roll your own power cable, but most users find they are perfectly happy saving that money, and buying more music. We know users have been able to sell their expensive power cables, and be happier for it since switching to Maraschino amplifiers. Your power cable isnt your issue, its the device that's being powered.
Q: What's with the DC_Snakes?
A: The Maraschino 60v supply is capable of Kilowatt output. All that voltage and current needs a fast, robust connection to the amplifier. The standard cable will do fine for many users, but discerning listeners will benefit from the custom designed DC_Snake leash available in standard 3' harnesses or even shorter 6" lengths. Use the 3' leash to power an In-Line Maraschino, or simply if your power supply is on a different shelf than your amps. If you stack Maraschino on top of the power supply, keep the power path short, and use the 6" leash for a cleaner look. Cleaner power and current transfer enhance the high quality Maraschino's bandwidth, speed and overall presentation.
Speaker Wire Questions:
Q: Do I need special (fancy or expensive) speaker wire?
A: No. And Yes. The Maraschino line of amplifiers is a precision instrument capable of extremely high output. It should be treated with care, and wired with pride. You need not spend alot to do this. Quality speaker harness will be a benefit and can be added to your order right here on our Digital Amplifier Company website. (See Speaker_Snakes). We also believe when it comes to speaker wire, shorter is better. Listening tests prove this over and over. Keeping the amps close to your speakers allows you to run shorter leashes, and thus less negative impact on your musical enjoyment.
Q: What's the best speaker wire for my amps?
A: Digital Amplifier Company has created a well-engineered and sonically balanced speaker loom called Speaker_Snakes. Available in 3' and 6' sizes. These harnesses have all the high current carrying ability that the Cherry or Maraschino line require. The full discussion can be found here.
Interconnect Questions:
Q: Do I need special (fancy or expensive) Interconnect cables?
A: Not really. The Maraschino amplifier is as true to it's input signal as current communications technology can get. Think state-of-the-art instrumentation equipment. As such, Maraschino deserves quality cabling. What you put in one side comes right back out the other side at higher volume. No, you don't need megabuck cable. At the very least, using quality microphone cable is a decent choice. Lengths of 25' are no problem. The fully balanced architecture of the input stage can handle whatever you throw at it, as long as the source is of high quality. Fully balanced, XLR terminated, low noise cables are best.
System Related Questions:
Q: Do I need special Power Conditioners?
A: The 60v Killowatt power supply needs no special conditioning nor filtering. Just a quality power cord. Nothing megabuck here. Some users may experience some sonic impact by using a filtering device in their system. But it depends whether you have analog equipment such as preamps, record players, tape deck etc and what the power supplies in the sources are doing. Maraschino users in fully digital environments using a computer as a source and a DAC DAC direct to Maraschino's have found no need for power conditioning in their system. Your mileage may vary, feel free to experiment. We are happy to consult with you on this one. Please provide system specific information here.
Q: Can I connect my Subwoofer with the speaker level inputs?
A: It Depends. Maraschino amplifiers use what's known as a "Bridged Output Stage". This delivers clean, stable, high-current power to your speakers, but can not be used to drive some subwoofers with common-ground speaker level inputs. These share a connection to ground which would be damaging to your Maraschino equipment. Some subwoofers have facility for balanced power inputs. You can check this by using an ohm meter to measure resistance between the two negative terminals. As long as it has a very high resistance (something around 10KΩ or more) between the pair you'll be fine. Dual subwoofers with amplified but physically separate cabinets would be okay, too. As long as the amps can't see each other electrically, you should be fine. When in doubt, ask us!