2. amps-preamps
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Yamaha AS2000 - balanced input

I connected my PS Audio dac to a recently purchased Yamaha AS2000 integrated amp using the balanced connections and was disappointed to hear some audible distortion. The PS Audio dac has an output voltage of 5V though the balanced outputs and according to the Yamaha manual the AS2000 has a maximum input signal of 2.8V.

Are the dac's balanced outputs too hot for the amp and causing the distortion?

Is there a way to attenuate the dac's output with attenuators or modifying the dac, or would that affect sound quality? The amp sounds great with unbalanced connections, but I was hoping to take advantage of the balanced inputs since the amp and dac are both balanced.
128x128johsti
mbleming
33 posts
 
I'll keep an eye out, thanks Custodio
miesdavis's avatar
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miesdavis
19 posts
 
I just bought a TC Electronic Level Pilot (attenuator) and placed it between my A-S2000 and Musical Fidelity M1 DAC. I turned the amp to a level that I am very familiar with (9 o'clock). I then turned up the attenuator until the sound was roughly where it usually is at that volume. Ironically I found that the volume did not significantly increase when I turned the knob of the attenuator beyond that point. I'm not a very technically inclined audiophile and someone else may better understand this than I do. Seems to work but then I'd never noticed distortion--just wanted to be safe and not damage the amp.
miesdavis's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
miesdavis
19 posts
 
I just bought a TC Electronic Level Pilot (attenuator) and placed it between my A-S2000 and Musical Fidelity M1 DAC. I turned the amp to a level that I am very familiar with (9 o'clock). I then turned up the attenuator until the sound was roughly where it usually is at that volume. Ironically I found that the volume did not significantly increase when I turned the knob of the attenuator beyond that point. I'm not a very technically inclined audiophile and someone else may better understand this than I do. Seems to work but then I'd never noticed distortion--just wanted to be safe and not damage the amp.
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