Do Audiophiles usually keep the gain of the digital source at around 80%?


My setup is:

A8 Eversolor DAC and streamer

McIntosh C12000 preamp

REL sub 810

Focal Sopra n1 speakers. 

861 Moon amp

I keep my McIntosh preamp usually between 50-60% volume. Any higher would make the sound thin like.

For the Eversolo streamer (which I am enjoying quite a bit for the money), I keep between 75% -85% max gain. With older songs that are recorded at lower volume, I have it at 85%. But with songs that are recorded louders (mostly newer songs) it would cause some/slight clipping at that level so I to have lower the gain to about 75% max gain.  

I saw that there was a max volume throughput option on the Eversolo, but when I try that I can’t really get the system as loud as I want it without clipping and distortion setting in early. 

Is this normal for Audiophiles to keep the gain on the digital signal about 80%?

Wasn’t sure if this should go into digital forums or preamps since both are used here, so I posted here. 

 

dman777

I believe the A8 supports ReplayGain, allowing you to apply it to individual tracks or entire albums. ReplayGain doesn't involve any re-encoding or lossy digital processing—it's simply like having a servant or robot adjust the playback volume for you.

1) Does the Eversolo feed 🡢 the McIntosh preamp which feeds 🡢 the Moon amp?

2) One possibility is explained - here - @ 8 min. 48 sec.  If so, use the RCA out instead of XLR out.

100% digital outputs goes to my preamp (ARC DAC... see my virtual system). It is best to have no attenuation in the digital domain if it is an option with your DAC. Then my preamp operates between 20 and 30% max.