According to one video, it looks like there is a setting to disable the preamp section of the Eversolo. This is what is needed to use the Mac pre.
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.
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Well... Actually, the a8 has a digitally-controlled, relay-switched, resistor-ladder volume control. Here you can scroll to a hi-res view of said VC in situ. It’s presumably controlled by an Arduino-like processor that also controls the OLED display and such. So, no, it’s not a ’proper’ analogue volume control circuit in the sense that when you turn the A8’s volume knob you’re still spinning a cheap digital encoder like a $99 Topping. Encoders have a deplorable feel that is out of place with gear with high-end pretensions. BUT! Does that affect sound quality? Well, probably not, because as you otherwise correctly pointed out, components in the signal path are indeed analog (namely relays and SMT resistors). There’s kind of a problem, though. As the picture shows, Eversolo use an array of 16 relays to switch between resistor pairs. Relays are DPDT (double pole double throw), so each relay contains 4 discrete switches, operable in pairs. 16 x 4 = 64 volume positions, which does provide excellent granularity. These relays are Omron G6K series, a common general- and industrial-purpose relay that costs about a buck in quantity. Its datasheet can be found here for your perusing pleasure. G6K relays are coil-operated and have aluminum contacts. They generate EMI, unlike a proper mechanical resistor-array attenuator that doesn’t generate any because the switching is mechanical and the energy necessary to operate the switches is provided by your hand. Not to mention that mechanical attenuators impart a lovely, substantial feel to the volume control. Such things matter to some folks, including myself. Anyway, it’s not clear why anyone would want sixteen mechanical relays clicking in their signal path? On the flip side, the cost of a real resistor-ladder attenuator can easily exceed the price of the entire Eversolo A8. So there’s that. In summary, the A8’s volume control is definitely a step above the usual $2 junk chip found in low-end chifi and AVRs from Costco, but it does not come close to analog state of the art.
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- 59 posts total