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 5 responses by unsound

unsound
7,343 posts
 
@madavid0, So rather than for a reason, it’s for a preference? And I don’t post this to discount your preference.
unsound
7,343 posts
 
@fastfreight, May I ask which Audionet pieces you are using?
unsound
7,343 posts
 
@atmasphere, My previous post was in regard to your more recent post and newly mentioned “passive controls” and whether or not that was indeed the OP’s subject at hand.
 In response to that original post, I think it prudent to mention that depending upon the partnering amplification, some DAC’s have many more bits available to handle volume control with little to no risk of bit stripping for even 24 bit hi rez formats.
unsound
7,343 posts
 
@madavid, why should ...”Volume control via DAC chip is to be avoided period.”...?
unsound
7,343 posts
 
@atmasphere, I’m not sure that one could accurately describe the OP’s direct from DAC to amp application as “passive”?
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