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Best Volume Settings?

I have read various past threads concerning volume settings to achieve the best performance. In the latest issue of Stereophile, reviewer Jim Austin addresses this topic in the review of the Benchmark DAC3. He stated " most systems achieve their best noise performance in the top half of their volume range". Additionally he also stated " with the DAC3 set to its highest output level - the default setting - it was too hot in my system".

Interesting concept, so I decided to experiment with the volume controls with both my Hegel HD25 DAC and Primaluna Dialogue Premium Integrated Amp. As with the Benchmark, the default level setting for Hegel was its highest setting at 100. As a comparison, I reduced the Hegel's output level to 80 and using a db meter I then adjusted the PL to match the volumes as best as I could. As a baseline, I tried to achieve the average output volume of around 85dB which wasn't easy based on the dynamics of various recordings. With the Hegel set to 100, the PL volume control was approximately between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock. With Hegel set to 80, the PL volume control was between 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock depending on the recording. All the recordings included voices which I always use as a guide to determine the best sound. The recordings included early rock music and female singers from various genre. In order to do a true comparison, I switched the order of the output levels with each recording since our minds can play tricks on which sounds better.

So here are my results. Overall the system sounded best with the Hegel set to 80. At the setting of 100, it sometimes sounded a bit smeared or glaring. With some recordings it wasn't so easy to distinguish any differences. So is it the Hegel set at the max level or the PL set at the top half of the volume range or both? Either way the Hegel will no longer be set to the max.

I appreciate if anyone has had similar results with both the input and output levels.



ronrags

Showing 1 response by blindjim

blindjim
3,092 posts
 

Rather than saying there is ‘no correct answer’, one should likely say, ‘there are several correct answers, just not a one size fits all answer, for every scenario.

Gain is the item to be corralled or administrated. Too much at each intersection, source > pre. Pre > ap. Adds up. Ends up too now and then, not necessarily being the optimum solution.

As was said previously, that source makers suggest strongly that the volume on a DAC should be at or above 75% to avoid drop outs, from that point is where one needs to find their system synergy or sweet spot in overall system gain.

Bel Canto said something quite similar to me on the BC DAC 3 I own. I was told keep the revs up to 100% when its being used as a line source wherein another controller is adjusting the volume.

I forget what was said in the scenario wherein the BC D3 is being used as a preamp driving the amp directly..

It would seem one solution alone is not correct either. Though two, actually do appear to be able to accommodate more particular situations.

I followed orders keeping the vol up to 100% for the first two weeks during playback as a line source connected to a preamp. I got edgy about so doing and finally gave in lowering the overall steady state output voltage a tad to 95%. Emphasis on leading edges came more into line, yet articulation and resolution did not suffer further. So it remains at 95% whenever I fire it up to play from the HDD library or stream online whatever thru it. It does not remain on constantly.

I can see too, if someone is running lengthy legs of ICs voltage could drop significantly and cause distortions or drop outs of info depending on the source output voltage. As.. higher gained output voltages could with stand longer RCA IC runs.

I get the impression with todays' DAC which double as preamps or have volume controls volume attenuation takes place in the analog domain, not in the digital domain where it is more critical.
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