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Do Audiophiles usually keep the gain of the digital source at around 80%?

My setup is:

A8 Eversolor DAC and streamer

McIntosh C12000 preamp

REL sub 810

Focal Sopra n1 speakers. 

861 Moon amp

I keep my McIntosh preamp usually between 50-60% volume. Any higher would make the sound thin like.

For the Eversolo streamer (which I am enjoying quite a bit for the money), I keep between 75% -85% max gain. With older songs that are recorded at lower volume, I have it at 85%. But with songs that are recorded louders (mostly newer songs) it would cause some/slight clipping at that level so I to have lower the gain to about 75% max gain.  

I saw that there was a max volume throughput option on the Eversolo, but when I try that I can’t really get the system as loud as I want it without clipping and distortion setting in early. 

Is this normal for Audiophiles to keep the gain on the digital signal about 80%?

Wasn’t sure if this should go into digital forums or preamps since both are used here, so I posted here. 

 

dman777
2 responses Add your response
pindac's avatar
pindac
3,132 posts
 

I have being used at present a SS Pre Amp which is the Prototype of a Pre Amp design being commission built for me.

The EE has gave me the Option to add 13dB of Gain, of which I have been using to about 50% of what can be used.

With a CD Source and to meet what I class as a preference, the Gain is usually between 25% - 50% with only a small selection CD's not having gain added.

With the Vinyl Source no added gain is needed.

thriftyaudio's avatar
thriftyaudio
131 posts
 

My experience with Eversolo was with the A6. I found the overall clarity was best was when the A6 was at 100%. I controlled the final volume with the Benchmark LA4. When the A6 was less than 100% I found some inconsistencies with background noise during softer passages.

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