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Volume Settings/Control - DAC vs Preamp?

I have a Bluesound Node 2 as my DAC and the Bluesound App has volume control. This is connected to my tube preamp which obviously has a volume control as well. What is the school of thought on volume settings and where to control volume during playback? Should I set the DAC's volume to a certain fixed level (and what should that setting be - low, mid, all the way up?) and adjust volume from my preamp? Or vice-versa? Does it matter? It's way easier to control volume via the Bluesound app as my preamp has no remote but I can live with either solution if it makes a difference.

I have combed through a number of similar posts but not sure I got a clear answer.
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reubent
6,939 posts
 
I'm guessing the integrated volume control in the Node 2 is a digital attenuator. If this is the case, probably the optimum sound quality should be with the Node 2 set to max. or turn off the internal volume control (whatever is available in the app). I would try it this way, internal volume at MAX (or off) and control the volume from the pre-amp. Of course, if you hear no difference, go back to controlling it via the app. Of course you could always set the internal volume to max, control the volume through the pre-amp. and just use the internal app volume control if/when a passage gets too loud.
stray_cat
69 posts
 
I've been considering the node 2 myself so have been doing research. If I remember correctly, it uses a 32 bit dac chip with on-chip volume control and the math as per ess' explanation proves there is no degredation of sound, ideal if you're using the node 2 as your only source.

You could try that straight into the amp and ket us know. If you need the preamp due to having other sources, I agree with reubent's suggestion. It would sound best that way.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

For best signal to noise behavior, I recommend max output from the source and then reduce it at the latest point, the integrated amp.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

chrshanl37
833 posts
 
When I purchased my Node 2 last year I had a modest set-up consisting of a Peachtree Grand Pre and a Sunfire stereo amp. At the time I was using the dac in the Peach but had to bypass it to listen to Tidal MQA tracks. Then I started just using the Node as the preamp because that was the only source I had at the time. Worked great and did not really notice any degrading of the sound or loss of transparency even at lower volumes. I also like the fact that you can easily synch a remote control to the node.
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