DAC volume controls

I don't believe the A10 has an analog volume control correct? That will make a huge difference in sound quality and is why the going through the preamp sounds better. Even the Bartok uses a digital volume control but it's supposed to be quite nice.  I suspect even it however will sound better through a line stage.

Many thanks, three_easy_payments.  You are correct, the A10 does not have an analog volume control.

You will receive a ton of opinions on using a DAC’s volume control and pros/cons of having a pre in the chain. The best way is to carefully test it in your listening room. Try each way for a week or so.

I tested using a Linn DSM straight into a power amp and then added a Pass Labs XP-20 preamp and used its volume control. I liked the sound with the Pass better...

It really depends on the implementation. There are more options when you have the opportunity to implement a digital volume control before it undergoes conversion from digital to analog.

Many of the best solutions perform volume control in the digital domain, and certainly when music is being produced volume is being manipulated in the digital domain.

I use a PS Audio DAC senior and use it with it's digital volume control and I love it . As I just listen on phones nowadays the level of detail I get is incredible. Now I know why my millennium born nephew hates it , "too much detail Uncle Jim".

I have Benchmark DAC3 to Benchmark AHB2 power amp.  It sounds wonderful and has digital volume control for digital signals.  Previously I had Benchmark DAC1, that had analog volume control.  DAC3 sounds way better, but it is most likely because of different D/A converter and processing.  Analog volume control over time developed static and I had to lift back of the pot and spray fader lube inside.  I had to do it couple of times.  With digital control it will be quiet forever.

@kijanki I had the DAC3 HGC and the AHB2 with KEF LS50’s. It was great.

I now have the DAC3B (no volume control) and the Benchmark HPA4 headphone amp and preamp. The headphone stuff is incredible with the HPA4 and I used to hate headphones.

I am now temporarily using the amp section of my PeachTree NOVA 150 integrated (a quiet amp) to drive my KEF LS50’s with the HPA4 + DAC3B. I maybe crazy to say this but I think this current combination sounds as good as the DAC3 HGC + AHB2 + KEF LS50 setup I had years ago.

What I think I am hearing is the importance of the source (HPA4) in the chain compared to the role the amp plays in the overall sound. Some people have posted that if the source signal is degraded then you can never fix it. Maybe that is what I am hearing now.

The HPA4 or LA4 are incredible units from Benchmark. I will be getting the AHB2 again in late July 2020 to complete the system but what I have now is shockingly good.

BTW - I was under the impression that the volume control on the HGC DAC's were analog based.

@hornps I have done DAC straight to amps and always preferred a preamp. You should consider doing a 30 day trial on the Benchmark LA4 or HPA4 preamp to see how it will transform your DAC. It is $2500 or $3K. I blows the doors of my old BAT VK-42SE SS preamp. Do not let the low price of the Benchmark gear fool you. The volume control on the Benchmark has 256 steps and I doubt you can find a quieter audio component.

I use an Oppo 105D for CD, and a Benchmark DAC1 (which has a volume control) directly into my amp. I find the combination works better than the Oppo directly into my preamp. I'm so pleased with the upgrade in sound quality with a separate DAC that I'm looking to upgrade the DAC in the near future. I also use the DAC directly into my Stax driver amp and headphones, and directly into my recently-acquired Audeze LCD-XC phones. The improvement in depth and ambiance over the Oppo alone was a revelation. 

Audio Aero DAC w/volume control direct into Music Reference RM9 MKII amp.   Sounds great... even better than when I had an Aesthetix Calypso Signature in the mix.  No regrets selling the preamp, simplifying my system and improving my sound quality.

@yyzsantabarbara   DAC3 HGC have two gain controls (hence "Hybrid Gain Control")  - a digital encoder for digital signals and analog pot for analog inputs, mounted on the same shaft.  AFAIK HPA4 has encoder as well, but it controls bunch of relays providing 256 step control, all in analog domain.  That's the best of both worlds - unlimited life span encoder controlling analog gain.  What surprised me the most about AHB2 is bass performance in comparison to my previous class D (Icepower) amp.  It goes lower and stronger.  Specifications don't reflect it since both had adequate extension on paper (class D - 5Hz, AHB2 = 0.1Hz).  Let me know if you hear the same.  Getting back to issue on hand - Benchmark, in one of the papers claims that with typical system you cannot hear more than 16-bit anyway.  That would require overall system S/N to be better than 96dB.  Music is compressed most of the time allowing us to hear silent parts better, but we also have around 30dB of ambient noise.  I believe that digital volume control for signal, that is in digital domain is the best and most accurate way to go.  Upsampling and filtering provides extra resolution (averaging), but even without it I wouldn't be able to hear lowest bits when volume is dialed down.  Engineering behind Benchmark products is always first class, so if they decided to use digital volume control it means it can be done right. 

i am curious whether the RME ADI-2 (which is a very good sounding unit with many many features such as DSP, filters, tone controls and volume controls) will reduce resolution if used as a linestage controlling volumes into a power amp....