Arcam PA240 - Topping A70 PRO - RME ADI-2 DAC FS

[PatM]

Can somebody please give me some advice on the best settings for this setup?

- I want to use the Topping A70 PRO as a preamp in the chain via XLR, because I need the RCA inputs for my phono stage.
- I want to use the ADI-2 just as a DAC, connected via XLR to the Topping A70 PRO and via USB cable to my music player.

Am I correct to assume thst the optimal settings would be:

- to set the gain to the Arcam PA240 to the 25dB Gain setting.
- to set the Topping A 70 Pro gain to Low and FFT 0 dB to 5Vrms
- to set the RME ADI-2 DAC reference level to +19 Dbu.

But if so, what fixed volume should I set on the RME ADI-2 DAC for optimal results?

Information relating to the Arcam PA240 two possible gain settings: - Gain setting 31 dB - XLR - 2.3V RMS ; Gain setting 25dB - XLR - 4.6V RMS

I would be using all this to drive two passive speakers (Focal 40th Spectral)

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Pat

 

[PatM]

As an update I tested the reference level of RME ADI-2 DAC at +13dBu (which is +19dBu in xlr) with (dac vol at -5.5 ) and with the Topping A70 Pro at low levels (slowly increasing them) and the VMU needle on the A70Pro went into the the red (+0 - + 4 dBu) so I then set the RME at +7dBU (which is +13 dBu) with (dac vol at 6 or 6.5 seems to be the sweet spot for dynamic range to my ears at leadt) and the VMU needle on the A70 Pro does not reach the red section anymore with listening levels on tge A70 Pro of -22 dcB. (The listening levels at listening position is 75 - 83 dBC in C weighted). Am I correct to assume thus is optimal?
Kind Regards,
Pat

 

[PatM]

It seems the sweet spot recommended by ChatGPT matches close to my setting. There are several ways to set it up, but best sounding from the ChatGPT options set the RME at +7dBU (which is +13 dBu) with (dac vol at -5dB). I tried a lot of other settings even with the Arcam PA240 gain at 31dB, but it was not better. Just thought to leave it written here if somebody needs it later with the same setup (as I am unable to close the thread). However, AI was great at helping connect the dots (the info that I did not know I was not understanding correctly).

 

[VintageFlanker]

There are several ways to set it up, but best sounding from the ChatGPT options set the RME at +7dBU (which is +13 dBu) with (dac vol at -5dB).

This is based on virtually nothing. And absolutely wrong by the way.

Just thought to leave it written here if somebody needs it later with the same setup (as I am unable to close the thread).

That will not be useful to anybody, I regret.

However, AI was great at helping connect the dots (the info that I did not know I was not understanding correctly).

... And that you're apparently unable to fact-check correctly.

Sorry if I sound harsh but I find this kind of behaviour barely respectful : There's no point asking ASR community if you prefer to rely on ChatGPT (AKA TrustMeBro random facts and annecdotes mixed from everywhere on the net).

Welcome, otherwise.

 

[PatM]

Hi Vintage Flanker,

Nobody replied for a few days so I tried my best to find a solution myself in the meantime. I just thought my thread did not peek anybody's interest to botter replying to help with this query. If you do have a better advice I would be very happy to receive it.
Kind Regards,
Pat