CAL Alpha and an Equalizer

Hi Bob, Thank you for your response, and assurance that I didn' make a mistake about the Attenuators.

At the time, I hadn't thought of this, but I recall Cal Audio Labs used to ship the Alpha DAC from the factory with some resistors to alter-modify voltage output if needed, and these would be soldered in somewhere in the output within the unit.

As far as I can see, and understand, the Endler Attenuators gave me the same end result without the need of tearing into the unit, and soldering resistors, and also the advantage of variable output to whatever I desire with these 12 step Attenuators Robert Endler makes which I believe go from 4db to 48db cut.

I knew right away with this Alpha that the Alpha was much higher output versus my year's ago vought new Sigma II, as I can barely get my Mac MX-130's to 11, and it's blowing you our of the house, and makes you put your hands over your ears with such a shrill, len sound. Truthfully, I feel my Sigma II to be a better sounding unit, and this shouldn't be considering the higher original price of the Alpha.

I had perhaps considering buying, and inserting something like the Berhinger DEQ2496 between the DAC and Pre-Amp, and also as another option perhaps even trying the DEQ2496 elsewhere in the chain between Pre Amp-Amp?

Of course I have Bass+Treble Tone controls on the MX-130, and could perhaps just turn up the bass higher, and turn down the treble below flat a bit? Mark

FWIW, I have both the Alpha (original, not the 24/96 version) and Sigma II and driven by the Delta there is not a huge difference in sound. I think the Alpha is more detailed and may have a tad more extension in the bass and highs but its subtle and on causual listening its hard to distinguish them. What does seem to make a difference though is using a different transport with the Alpha (than the Delta) and not running them thru seperate filters on a power conditioner. Especially the latter. I'm not sure it's relevant but my Delta has a high output much like the Alpha, both of which are well over the nominal 2v of my other CDP's.

perhaps the problem is the transport. i too have a cal alpha and am not thrilled with it. iwas surprised, because the seller described the dac as warm. i changed the tubes several times.

it is possible that the "right" line cord can help.

beware of opinions oregarding warm dacs and cd players. there are very few of them around. i have listened to quite a few. most of them are any thing but warm.

you will have to spend big bucks to get a warm dac. maybe an older sonic frontier will do.