Control volume with DAC or Preamp?

 its likely the loading is internal in the unit itself. 

And that we'll never know, as it is the graph shows roll off starting at 100hz already and that's with a 100k!!! loading, Stereophile usually also give a 600ohm loading,  strangely omitted this time.

Would be nice if someone that has one and can do the measurement, to see what happens with a 10k loading as many Class-D's have.
So to those going direct with this make sure your amps input impedance is >100k other wise as the bass "could" be anemic as  ozzy found out a few posts back.

Cheers George

   

Hey UNSOUND:
I have the Audionet Pre G2 and the Max Amps.  Also the MM Tambaqui DAC.
Happy Holidays!  Ken

That audionet gear looks great. I was reading about the amps and may try replicating the independent power supply transformers for each rail in my amps too. I've already got an extra one just sitting unconnected in the power supply as is so it'll just be a little 10 minute mod. Thanks for the information!

@wolverine1 The scenario you describe sounds unusual. I have the same preamp as you, the HPA4 (LA4 + with headphone amp). My Benchmark DAC3B has no volume control but if I were to have a DAC with volume I would set the DAC's volume to fixed. The manner to set it to fixed differs by DAC.

This flutter sound you hear should be investigated with Benchmark technical support. Give them a call and they will help you get sorted out. 

You should also hookup your DAC by XLR (if supported) to the  LA4's input #1. That input has some optimizations for DAC's.

My only complaint about this preamp is the RCA inputs, I wish they were all XLR's.


BTW - the LA4 is an incredible preamp. If you want a great volume control, a few source inputs, and total silence. I do not think you can find a better preamp. Almost all DAC's are noisier than this preamp.

And that we'll never know, as it is the graph shows roll off starting at 100hz already and that's with a 100k!!! loading, Stereophile usually also give a 600ohm loading, strangely omitted this time.

Uh, George, you missed my point entirely.