Gain into my preamp from DAC

Ai, thanks again for your reply. I knew after making the comparison that the input stage on the Jolida pre's XLR was not configured to deliver the expected gain, I was not sure as to why, or if it was even possible. I know know the answer to both questions. As always, your reponse was both succinct and articulate.

Cleeds, I have never assumed  XLR connection to be balanced, particularly ones found on single ended gear. However, as I have found out from Al's response, it can be possible for a unbalanced preamp to to capture the additional gain supplied by a balanced source if it's input is configured to do so. This is likely not the norm however. 

Gs5556, I understand the 10dB  ~= 2X volume relationship, However a 6dB gain is substantial.

I should add that I was not troubled by the lack of a differential gain between the RCA and XLR inputs on my pre. If anything the 20dB gain offered by the Jolida is more than required for my system. I am over attenuating the signal. Should I consider having Jolida modify my unit I will ask if the gain can be adjusted. 

I Truly appreciate the education provided by many on this forum.

Thanks for the nice words, Mesch.

As an FYI, a commonly seen example of a preamp (or integrated amp or power amp) having a single-ended internal signal path while providing 6 db of additional gain for an XLR input compared to the gain provided for an RCA input, would be a solid state design which utilizes an "op amp" ("operational amplifier") integrated circuit configured to differentially receive the balanced pair of input signals while providing a single-ended output. That kind of an input circuit can be configured to provide 6 db of gain, zero db of gain, or any other desired gain within a wide range of limits, simply by changing the value of two resistors.

Best regards,
-- Al

Thanks once again Al. I am going to call Jolida and ask how the XLR input is configured. 

After talking to Jolida, Al's second descriptor for what accounts for my gain issue best fits. There is no conversion stage (op amp?) on the Jolida's XLR input. 

I now think I might be better off using the Brystons RCA outputs connected to the RCA inputs on the Jolida. I will need a 0.5M pair of Audioquest Columbia interconnects to make this comparison. Once found I will do this and report back.