2. amps-preamps
  3. 161821-152589

Control volume with DAC or Preamp?

My DAC (PS Audio Directstream) has a volume control and so does my preamp(Benchmark), of course.  What’s the best way to control the volume of my system to get optimum sound...turn the dac to maximum volume and use the preamp to make adjustments , turn the preamp to maximum and use the DAC for adjustments, turn each of them up part way? Or does it not make a difference?
wolverine1

Showing 2 responses by adurerca

adurerca
38 posts
 
Another option, try driving the amp directly from the dac.  How does that sound compare with the pre in the chain?
adurerca
38 posts
 
You have a really nice preamp that adds no noise or distortion to the music path.  I would go with using the Benchmark pre for volume control.  You should then turn the dac volume to 100% so you get the full signal going to the pre.  The way it was explained to me is you want to push a full signal to the last car in the train before attenuation.

When I inserted the Benchmark pre into  my system, I  noticed immediately better sound at lower volumes and much much better and granular volume control than the dac.  You may have to adjust the pads at the XLR outlets to properly match your components but that is better explained in the user manual of the Benchmark.
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