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Question about volume matching

Hello All, and thanks in advance for your help.

I recently purchased an Innuos Zen Mini S. I use a USB cable out to a Mytek Brooklyn DAC. I have the volume on the DAC bypassed, so that it is only serving as a DAC. From there, I have analog cables going to a tube preamp.

So, here’s the question: does anyone have any advice on how to set the different components’ volume controls? Like I said, the DAC volume is bypassed, but the Innuos has its own volume and the preamp has its own volume. I had the Innuos at 100%, but the tube preamp was barely turned up. The Innuos Sense app recommends that hi res and MQA be at 100%

Don’t I need the preamp volume higher to engage and enjoy “tube sound?”

Or am I overthinking this? 

forestg
2 responses Add your response
carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

You're fine.

I generally turn everything except the preamp Im using up to 100%.  right now I'm using an integrated amp turned up to 100%.  This takes the variable resistor that is the volume control pretty much out of the circuit.

The fact that you only need to turn your preamp up just a little says you have more power than you need.  Most people do.  

You're still getting full potential of the tube amp to imprint it's sound.  100% of the signal is going through the tube circuit.  

Jerry

allanblissett
146 posts
 

What do you mean by barely turned up ? You can enjoy tube sound at any level. 

It seems you have a lot of gain, are you using the balanced out of the dac going to the preamp? If so you could change to the RCAs, that will probably output less gain. 

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