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 1 response by jbs

jbs
92 posts
 
I'm not sure on that exact DAC but generally think you want to run the DAC in "DAC only" mode which skips the DAC volume control and puts the full DAC output (balanced or unbalanced) into the pre-amp. Then use the pre-amp for the volume control. 

However, there are some pretty sweet combined DAC and pre-amps but assuming this is more of a headphone amp type setup?

With that said it is fairly easy to try it both way and listen for yourself. I have a simple topping DX3pro as my DAC and used it a as pre amp temporarily with mediocre. But it was not built to be a real hifi pre-amp but a headphone amp so knew this was far from ideal. 
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