Sure, but with a decent pre, this noise is irrelevant because it’s so little compared to the signal. Like trying to hear a mosquito in a jet engine. Sure, the mosquito is making noise, but compared to the jet engine, it’s irrelevant.
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Now here is an analogy!
I’m still waiting for my BHK Pre, but I’m excited 
Is there a volume sweet spot, as some has mentioned in terms of their preference for the best sound? I guess this applies to both the DAC and Pre. I’ve read that the DAC’s volume is not bit-limiting, and therefore should sound the same at any volume, but I’ve also read that some people prefer it above 90.
I really like when I can have my BHK pre at about 52. That seems to be a really nice spot. It’s not always possible though because 52 is fairly high and some tracks are a little to hot to be played that loud. Certainly something to play around with though.
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Thank you @jamesh! My First Watt F8 (25W) is connected directly to my DAC right now and the volume is often between 80-90 so we’ll see where I end up on the BHK Pre.
Wow! My house would be rocking with the BHK at 52! I found Ted’s tip from the sunlight forum to move the Directstream to 92 made a real difference. Really quietened the system and I’ve locked that in. Perhaps it’s my set up but I rarely get to 40 on the BHK with the Directstream on 92.
I’ve found if I do have the BHK up around 40 for a movie (via toslink) it is at cinema levels… the family was out and came back during an action scene said they thought the house was exploding!
DS and a recent acquired passive pre here.
I previously had the DSj and then after the DS (senior), with the built-in attenuator engaged, directly connected to a power amp.
There was no other way due to DS high noise floor (very disturbing at nocturnal listening levels, but manageable at daytime volumes), and due to system overall gain (without the ATT, at night, I would only listen at about 5 on the DS volume).
But I always felt I was losing something with the ATT engaged, when I turned it off from time to time.
With the move, I now set my DS on fixed magical 92 (with Sunlight) without the ATT and make the necessary adjustments on the passive pre. Outstanding! No more noise issues, a much more precise volume control, and several other aspects improved.
If it wasn’t for the DS noise floor, must certainly I would have kept it direct.
But, from all I’ve experienced, having the DS with the ATT off and volume fixed at 92, unleashes its full potential.
Just my experience.
I always take something like this as a complement. 52 is quite high and I’m definitely listening pretty darn loud at that point, but I do have a rather large room that I’m filling, so it takes quite a bit to pressurize the whole thing to “reference levels.”
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Can you share the “sunlight forum” link?
I’m certain @Interested meant the Sunlight: Sound Impressions thread.
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@Elk Thank you!
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Thanks @Elk - that’s the one!
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Hi James. Thanks so much for sharing – this thread had me thinking before seeing your message, maybe if the BHK gets even better further up the scale it’s time to unwind the system and explore the >50s. Nice to understand you’re filling up quite a big room!
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