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 madavid0

madavid0
214 posts
 
Only if the DAC has an a proper analog line pre stage. Volume control via DAC chip is to be avoided period. In generally a high quality separate pre will always be better.
madavid0
214 posts
 
@unsound DAC chips can control volume in the digital domain and many DACs use this feature of the chip to do so. In my own experience this leads to clearly inferior results compared to a pre. I would never consider using a DAC for volume control unless the DAC has a real analog pre stage of some kind, or at the very least an analog volume control chip. Not to say that it's any good, but adjusting volume in the analog domain is the first prerequisite.
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