2. digital
  3. 165715-18781

Low gain dac!

I am contemplating buying a new dac, the dac I have today has 4.3v output on both balanced and RCA, which makes me only use a small turn on the volume knob on my pre amp, which is a high gain design, volume starts at 6 o’clock and too loud at 8-9!
Any input is appreciated, ladde dac’s or more conventional dac’s doesn’t matter, both designs have my interest.
My system:
Primare Dac30
Supratek Cabernet pre
Belles SA 30 power amp
Graham Audio LS 5/9

Thanks!
gryphongryph
mesch
3,523 posts
 
+1 Charles

The OP's opening statement was the desire to replace a high gain  DAC with one having less gain.

Well, The OP has a DAC with 4.3V output, far more than needed. Also a high gain preamp and high sensitivity amplifier which on technical basis may not be ideal, however how these play together with the speakers satisfies the OP who only is looking to reduce gain to take better use of volume control. Seems to me that replacing the DAC with one having less than 2V output would reduce the gain by close to 10dB at the source with the least alteration of the sound quality of the system and allow greater degrees movement on volume control.


gryphongryph OP
389 posts
 
@mesch thanks for your input, yes this was my thinking too, when I got the opportunity to buy the Belles for a very good price, I could not pass it, must admit that gain was not in my thoughts.
The Sonnet Morpheus https://www.sonnet-audio.com/Morpheus.html
looks very intriguing with 2v output and also a pre section that I can use when watching tv, thereby bypassing the tubes, the price is a bit too high at the moment for me, but later in the year it could be an option.

mesch
3,523 posts
 
@gI use a Audio Mirror Tubadour III DAC which also has 2V output. Hard to find a DAC with lower output voltage. The only possible issue is it's 2K output impedance, which like many specs in not a problem if understood. I really like this DAC.

I am not familiar with the Sonnet Morpheus DAC. Will have to research that one, likely out of my budget.   
mesch
3,523 posts
 
@gryphongryph somehow the address on my last post did not take.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
@luisma31,
I sincerely appreciate your very kind comments. I’m in complete agreement with you that the importance and influence of the DAC analogue output stage is overlooked. Same applies to a DAC ’s I/V conversion and power supply. Yes the chips play a definite role but too often overemphasized.

@gryphongrtph, I believe that the Sonnet Audio DAC you linked and the Audio Mirror Tubadour (Recommended by mesch) are very viable options. Their 2 volt output would be much preferable to the 4.3 v of your current DAC.

Obviously you’d need to hear them to know for sure but in terms of system gain management, a move in the right direction.
The Tubadour consistently receives high praise. The Sonnet is unfamiliar to me. It sure looks interesting on paper however.
Charles
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