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BlueSound Node 2i > RME ADI2 DAC > NAD 316 BEE v2 > Dali Rubicon 5 (volume too high)

Hey guys,

This might be a silly question but I'd really appreciate if you can help me understand this issue or the lack thereof.

Listed above is my system/chain. I have 3 units with pre-amp (Node, RME DAC and NAD amp).  So what should the volume on my Node and RME Dac if I want the NAD to be the main control?

Currently, I have it at Full Volume (0 db) on the Node and RME.  However, I can't seem to go past 9 o clock position on my NAD or it simply gets too loud.

Is this normal?  If so, I don't think I'll ever need a more powerful amplifier?  I am able to drive a pair of Dali Rubicon 5s (considered power hungry) with this entry level NAD.  I was considering upgrading the amp but wonder if it would make any difference at all?  
prashanth13485
adg101
1,062 posts
 
@prashanth13485If you’re not using a separate preamp then you want to keep volume control active or on. I read through your post too quick and missed you’re feeding it to an amp directly. Since you are bypassing the DAC in your Node and going digital out, hopefully coax and not the toslink, the output is already fix so you don’t need to worry about that on the Node.
RME has several videos you might want to watch. Here’s one on the volume control.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rAGTPPPShWQ

adg101
1,062 posts
 
Probably need to go into output level settings and make adjustments. This video should help you.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=enZD40j-kjI
prashanth13485 OP
51 posts
 
@adg101 thanks again for taking the time to respond in detail.  I use optical out on the node yet I am able to control the volume via node unless I choose Output level fixed. 
As for the RME, I have set it to -15db (fixed) and yet I can’t go past the 10 o clock position on my Nad. 
When you say leave the volume control on/active, do you mean on the node or rme?
ericsch
752 posts
 
Fixed on the Node2i.
adg101
1,062 posts
 
Isn’t digital out on the streamer a fixed signal, meaning there’s no volume control? 

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