2. misc-audio
  3. 181906-124012

Question on component impedance mismatch

Or, at least that what I think it is--a mismatch. I have a M900U Luxman amplifier fed by an Audio Research LS27 preamp which is fed from a  Bryston BDA2 DAC. The Audio Research has 3 gain levels and I use the lowest one. Still, when streaming sometimes position 2 or 3 on the ARC is too loud. 

I If I bought in-line attenuators, those little balanced plug in deals where would you place them? At the Preamplifier DAC input connections or the Amplifier input? Roughly what amount of attenuation would be reasonable? 

This is not such an issue when I am cranking the music up high, but when it's evening listening with my wife we've even had it on position 1. I think the volume knob goes up to 103!

I love the sound of my components, just would like a more reasonable volume adjustment.

Thanks for your comments.

128x12861falcon

Showing 2 responses by 61falcon

61falcon's avatar
61falcon OP
101 posts
 

You're probably right, gain. I thought impedance somehow was part of the gain equation, but I stand corrected.

I just don't like how low I have to keep the volume knob and was thinking the attenuators would reduce the amount of gain. If that is not the case, can you think of another way, other than trading components to reduce the gain?

Thanks!

61falcon's avatar
61falcon OP
101 posts
 

Wlutke:

There is a volume control and I forgot to employ it. I have a blue sound player that has the option for unadjustable volume, a factory default or variable. when I go to variable the gain is greatly reduced. What's funny is when in the variable volume mode, even at the loudest level, it has much less gain than when it is in the unadjustable volume level(?). 

I am glad to be able to resolve with this simple maneuver, but this raises another question: How is gain adjustable from the streamer when the only thing feeding my DAC is a coaxial digital signal? Less "amplitude" on the ones and zeros? I could understand if I were using the Bludsound internal DAC and then the RCA outs would be adjustable, but I'm not, I've got the external DAC.

Thank you all for your replies.

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