Preamps built Into DACs

Mapman - Look, I have used a few digital volume controls, including the one in the DEQX, iTunes and Amarra. By far, Amarra is the best sounding volume software so far, and it starts to affect the SQ at more than -9dB. I can hear this because I have on of the most resolving systems on the planet. I clearly hear lyrics in tracks that noone else can make-out.

In most peoples systems they will probably not hear this effect until maybe -20 dB or more. This is due to the fact that there is so much other noise, distortion and compression in the typical system that these effects are masked. This masking can be caused by jitter from the source, active preamps and even poor amplifiers.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

"the reviewer preferred Bel Canto, which has Digital VC"

I read this review. I think the digital volume they are talking about is a digitally controlled analog volume chip. I dont believe it is DSP. They also used a certain low-jitter USB to SPDIF converter to drive the DAC BTW.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve,

I have no doubt your system is ultra resolving.

Can you tell me what it is, out of curiosity?

Thanks.

The chief designer at Bel Canto send me a one pager explaining the merits of digital volume control, and how unless you have very high sensitivity speakers (horns) and needs very high attenuation, there is absolutely no loss in a digital VC. If their VC was analog he would not be passing out such information.

Steve, you may have better ears than me (very possible), but I doubt your system is more resolving. I use your offramp 5 with monolith, the EMM labs DAC2X (used in professional studios) and the same speakers the guy that does HD remastering for HD tracks uses in his studio.