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

what sound levels are you listening at, maybe your over drivinig your speakers. 

I believe the A8 supports ReplayGain, allowing you to apply it to individual tracks or entire albums. ReplayGain doesn't involve any re-encoding or lossy digital processing—it's simply like having a servant or robot adjust the playback volume for you.

1) Does the Eversolo feed 🡢 the McIntosh preamp which feeds 🡢 the Moon amp?

2) One possibility is explained - here - @ 8 min. 48 sec.  If so, use the RCA out instead of XLR out.