Is it possible to remove the digital volume control entirely and just have a fixed output? Does that have any effect on sound quality, or it doesn’t matter one bit one way or another when using an external preamp? Not only does a good preamp sound much better than running the DAC straight to the power amp, I have an analog system using the same preamp also.
Paul had already expained that there is no loss in the digtital volume control and simply by setting it to 100 eliminates it.
The digital volume control doesn’t affect the sound quality in any way shape or form. The issue is that as you turn the volume down (or simply play music that’s recorded at a lower level) you get closer to the DS’s fixed analog noise floor. Which is unlike a preamp which has a noise floor that goes down when you lower the volume. Leave the volume control at 100 (or near it) and it’s not degrading the sound quality at all. It is literally the last of thousands of high precision multiplies your signal goes thru, none of which are hurting the sound quality.
7 Likes
OK, I understand. The reason I ask is because when I change the volume on the MKI to 92, it seem to change the sound quality to somewhat better than when I have it higher or lower and compensate with the volume on the preamp. Maybe I didn’t understand it was a noise floor thing.
The MK1 dac had the 20dB attenuator, If the volume control on the MK2 is set at about 60 does this give us the 20dB attenuation with no loss of sound quality. Is this about right ?
Yes, many enjoy better sound quality at 92 (or 94). The volume control isn’t affecting the sound quality. The loudness of the music after the volume control selects one of two algorithms in the DS. Below about -3dBFS the DS uses code that tries to minimize low level distortions. Above that the DS uses the old algorithm from the Huron release. The cut off depends on the music you are playing, but below a volume setting of 94 you will always be using the code that minimizes low level distortions - if you have preamp that was a good setting.
In any case the Mk II always uses the better algorithm so it’s no longer an issue.
Yes, the Mk II at 60 has a blacker background than the Mk I with the attenuator engaged.
11 Likes
In my system, the DS connected to the Gryphon Antileon power amp directly and it sounded much more transparent than when I used the Audio Research REF5-SE pre-amp. I’ve always set the DS’s digital volume control between 55-75 and noticed no SQ degrade in anyway. I guess it’s system dependent or I am one of the lucky one who could bypass the pre-amp in the signal path completely!
1 Like
There are many that find it better to go straight to the power amp. There are also many that found using the BHK preamp improves the performance. I have tried other tubed preamps and it was a mixed bag, you trade some sweetness for ultimate transparency. But when I tried the Esoteric C-02 preamp, it was across the board improvement, better soundstage, body, and air. Not as flat sounding. If the MKII is any better, I’ll really be in heaven!
2 Likes
Got It Thanks
Apologies this is drifting off-topic, but which speakers are you using? The Gryphon seems to have a high gain of 31dB which for many systems would make the DS noise floor very audible. Are you also using the -20dB attenuator?
With what we’ve learned recently about the MkII noise floor being so much lower and the lack of any SQ compromise introduced by the DS attenuator… MkII is gonna reignite the pre-amp vs direct discussion.
I am using Magico Q3. I engaged the 20dB attenuator then pushed the DS volume up to 95 to get the same SPL as without the attenuator in the circuit but didn’t like it, it made the whole thing sounded muffled. @waymanchen11 was luckier than me, He has found the best pre-amp that worked for him.
90dB sensitivity after 31dB gain is a whole lotta noise floor. Mind you the Gryphon’s own output seems a bit noisy going by specs so maybe the DAC’s noise isn’t too obvious. I will be super interested to hear your experiences with a MkII.
When I used the 20dB attenuator engaged, I have to set it to maximum at 106 and set my preamp also at maximum at 99 before there’s sufficient volume on some recordings and the sound is not as expressive as not using the attenuator. I just tried it with the DSD256 recording of Aaron Davis “Take One” and the 20dB attenuator really takes away a bit of transparency! Huge difference!!
My B&W 800 Matrix sensitivity is 93db per watt the BHK 250 gain is 30.5db. I never had an issue with noise floor when I ran the DAC directly into the Amp. I also never used the 20db pad as I too felt it was destructive to the sound and served no purpose to me. The Mk 2 is supposed to have a greatly improved noise floor and I will listen to it both with and without the BHK Preamp in.
1 Like
I own a DS 1 and am confused about the reference to an attenuator. How does one engage it?
I generally play music between 60 and 80. The higher volume Ted has referred to would be far too loud on most of the recordings I listen to.
Can anyone explain the issue further. I must be missing something.
From PSAUDIO re: Beta shipment.
Nothing new here but thought I’d share:
Thank you for being part of our beta program for the MK2 beta. I wanted to give you an update on where your beta unit is and what we are doing at the moment. We had to make a last minute change to the beta units to correct a hardware and software issue. Paul and Ted Smith have been talking about the change here on our forum: DirectStream DAC MKII Released - Audio Components - PS Audio
We are working on the units as fast as we can and will keep you in the loop on shipping times!
7 Likes
I got the same notice.
2 Likes
On the DS remote there’s a button labeled “DAC Level”. If you press it you go from High level to Low level or back. High level is no attenuation, Low level is 20dB attenuation. This amounts to 40 ticks on the DS’s volume control. So you would only use Low level if, in your normal listening you never go above 60. Using the Low level lets you use 100 instead of 60 in High, 80 instead of 40, etc.
2 Likes
So I use my DS Mk1 going into a c-j GAT S2 preamp. The GAT volume control runs 1 to 99 in steps of about 0.7 dB. If I remember correctly it reaches unity gain somewhere around volume setting 66. I currently set the DS Mk1 at 92 ( high ) and run the GAT at about volume 44. It’s probably been years since I have played games with DS volume ( including high or low ) versus GAT volume. I think I will go back and refresh my audio memory as to the DS contribution and the GAT contribution to what I hear before I start beta testing the DS Mk2. This should be fun.
I did also…