DAC to preamp technical question


Curious as to what is happening in this situation : Using a Musical Fidelity M1 Clic as a DAC (has a volume control as well). Using the fixed rca outputs into a Balanced Audio Technology vk51 preamp into a pair of Hypex Nc400 monoblocks ,into a pair of Triangle celius 202 speakers . The issue is the volume gets loud very quickly and distorts at a lesser volume than i would like . When i use the rca variable volume outs and use the M1's remote at about half volume there is a much greater range on the bat and sounds better . This is my first dac into the newly aquired BAT pre . I have three more dacs coming next week as well . Is the issue the volt output from the fixed outs on the M1 clic ? 

maplegrovemusic

Showing 4 responses by maplegrovemusic

Want to add that using the fixed outs of the M1clic with less sensitive speakers sounds great . King Sound electrostats and Magnepam MMG . Using both speakers the sweet spot for the volume is around 50 out of the 100 on the digital display for the BAT . Can go louder as well without distortion . So in a nutshell is the high sensitivity speakers the cause ? and is there a solution besides using a different pre ? Possibly different amps with the triangles ?
I am a little confused with the determination of the BAT pre having a serious design flaw . Should it's cd input not be able to handle a standard 2 volts ? Or am I misunderstanding what I read here ? if so what would be a good match volt wise ? Also i am using the supplied balance to rca jacks that BAT recommends and claims has no derogatory influence on the sound . I do have three dacs coming later in the week . Two of them have  balanced outs , so I will be giving those a try as well .
Thanks for the responses fellas . A new twist in my journey . I had just purchased the BAT used from a hifi dealer in town last week . I inquired if they knew the tube life on the tubes . They did not know . So yesterday after about an hour of listening the left channel just went dead and gone . No warning signs what so ever .Shut her down , left and came back an hour later and started up again . This time it only took ten minutes for the same thing to happen again . I am assuming the tubes are in need of replacement . Might have some correlation as to why the BAT sounded worse with the higher sensitivity speakers ? Goerge , you really need to get over your obsession with putting down Hypex . LOL
Thanks for the follow up guys . One last question . I plan on picking up the a BAT 60/75 tube amp . It is the companion amp to the vk5i . When that is put in i assume volume control will increase ? From what i have understood it is the more the relationship between bat and hypex that is the issue ?