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No volume control when playing native DSD

My system is comprised of an RME ADI-2 DAC, Hegel H20 power amp and Spendor D7 speakers. I am presently playing my CD library from a USB drive attached to my laptop and streaming Qobuz from the same laptop. 
The problem is that, if I want to play DSD files in native format, I would not have any volume control. DoP would work, but DoP is not DSD native. I listened to some DSD albums in native format on another system and DSD sounds better than my PCM files from CD or Qobuz, as well as better than DSD over PCM conversion made by my DAC.
The question is: Do I really need an analog preamplifier in order to play DSD files in native format, or is there a workaround this whole issue?
Your help in this matter would be highly appreciated.
raduval

Showing 1 response by emailists

emailists
923 posts
 
If you get a proper high quality analog preamp, you will gain the needed volume control and achieve better sound by running the Dac at full volume.

I’ve tried Direct from my Dac and the preamp always wins (provided you can afford a good one with a transparent volume control).

I also happen to use an RME UFX Interface in my video/audio workstation.  They supposedly benefit from power supply upgrades.
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