2. digital
  3. 150453-116141

What volume level should a DAC be set to when feeding your Pre Amp

G'day All

I have an Accuphase DAC (DC-901) with a digital volume control that feeds my Pre Amp/Accuphase integrated Amp.  The DAC is fed via USB. It reports its volume level in db and altering the volume on the DAC impacts the volume level coming out of my Integrated.  I currently have the DAC set at 0.0db. This DAC level is purely a guess on my part not really understanding the technicalities of it all.  I'd like to understand better the implications of this DAC volume setting on my overall listening experience and whether or not the setting I have in place currently is correct.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers
plb02
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
plb02 OP

It seems like your on a winner, it looks from other posts you have the Accuphase E470 integrated, it has poweramp inputs at 1.5v in for full wattage output on the back so you can forget about the preamp section, for the best most transparent/dynamic sound I would feed your dacs output which has up to 2.5v output direct into these poweramp inputs and just use the dac’s volume control.

Cheers George
plb02 OP
25 posts
 
Many thanks to all who responded.  A special thank you to the ever helpful Georgehifi.  I'll have a listen to the DAC to Power (bypassing the E-470's pre) and see what this turns up.

Cheers

Paul
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I’ll have a listen to the DAC to Power (bypassing the E-470’s pre) and see what this turns up.
I’m sure you’ll be surprised, it’s a better even more transparent/dynamic configuration that what Nelson Pass said above that I posted.

Cheers George
More to discover