Digital gain vs analog gain

+1 @apogeum 

I think of digital volume control as the digital signal being altered which is something audiophiles seem to go to great lengths to avoid.

I think of analog volume control as signal attenuation which narrows the gap between the signal and noise (i.e. reduced signal to noise ratio) which is also not desirable in the next stage of amplification.

I think the pro audio rule of thumb for gain structure is to have the input signal as high as possible to maximize the signal to noise ratio (I might be saying this incorrectly).

With these things in mind, I would try to set everything to "zero" and let the preamp do its job.

This is one reason that I had a DAC that doesn't have any volume control and set my bluesound node to have a fixed output level.

DAC = Digital to Analog Converter. If it has attenuation, it can be done mathematically before DA or post DA with digital attenuation or simply a pot, hopefully buffered.

As far as -10dB for 16 bit or -20dB for 24 bit being hinge points, that is utter nonsense.

In any system, matching gain structure is paramount and is best determined by inspection [listening or noise measurements].

Very helpful summary…and on the money to my learning curve. Since I enjoy my Wharfedale Lintons and ample vintage Crown power at different volumes in our cozy bungalow, am I correct in saying that using the final attenuator knobs on the amp are the safest choice to preserve signal quality at various listening volumes…as opposed to lowering the gain from my digital music source or the preamp?