What volume (%-wise) do you set your DAC?

[bushido]

After adding my Outlaw 990 preamp to the set up, I now have two volume controls, the one on the Emotiva XDA-2 DAC, and the preamp.

It seems somehow unwise to run the DAC at 100% volume allowing for all control to come from the preamp, though it would seem appropriate to leave the DAC volume fixed; the question is at what % of 100?

Thanks in advance

Onward and upward,
Puff

 

[Irvrobinson]

Use the fixed outputs on the XDA-2, which disables the volume control. I doubt you'll hear a difference, but that's the way to get the best fidelity.

 

[ImcLoud]

Are there fixed outputs on there?

I was told to just turn the volume up all the way on the dac when using a preamp...

 

[Irvrobinson]

Are there fixed outputs on there?

I was told to just turn the volume up all the way on the dac when using a preamp...

Ha! I just naturally assumed there was. If not, turn the DAC volume up to maximum.

 

[bushido]

OK, thanks.

It does seem like it might be taxing to keep the DAC at fullllll volume all the time, but I trust your advice and give it a try.

 

[Irvrobinson]

OK, thanks.

It does seem like it might be taxing to keep the DAC at fullllll volume all the time, but I trust your advice and give it a try.

Don't worry about taxing the DAC, the issue is the DAC output voltage and whether it overloads the Outlaw's line-level input. I just looked at the XDA-2 specs, and through the RCA outputs it looks like 1V, which shouldn't be a problem.

 

[bushido]

Thanks again.

Preamp should handle it fine: Outlaw Audio

All connections in XLR.