Dac/preamp subwoofer mains gain matching issue

[Chibrax]

Hello,
I have not seen this depicted after a few hours searching online and on ASR and was quite intrigued that it does not happen to more people.
So here is the problem, I stopped using XLRs to my amp (crown XLS 1502) and rcas to my sub (Emotiva SE12) because I have a gain matching problem and when I play with the volume of the preamp the implementation is messed up (it just holds up at my preferred listenning volume). And it evens makes the sub dissapear at low volumes or too loud at loud ones if I try just adjusting the gain of the sub up...
Signal path I use for now that works well (sub and speakers volume changes work at unison) :
TV optical or pc usb > Topping D90 > rca to emotiva sub in > rca out from emotiva sub (using the sub for bass management et hp filter) > crown > speakers
While Im way more satisfied with this solution than having perfect implementation only at one favored volume Im still annoyed by the fact that I cant use my gear as I intended.
The question is what are my solutions to getting back using XLRs for my mains (what is the purpose of a balanced dac and amp if I cant....) without having the aforementionned issue.
A buffer for the rca would have to be like 10db to match XLR outs ? what are the most basic/transparent solutions available to me.

Repost from another part of the forum dunno where to ask this is the better place.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

You probably need to measure what you are hearing using a calibrated microphone.

I've no personal experience, but many on here are very pleased with https://www.minidsp.com/ products.

 

[Chibrax]

You probably need to measure what you are hearing using a calibrated microphone.

I've no personal experience, but many on here are very pleased with https://www.minidsp.com/ products.

I am sure of myself changing the volume on my dac doesn't change the volume on the amp and on the sub the same way there is a difference in input gain and it shows....
when I go full rca to the sub and use the sub rca outs I have no problem...

The crown can do HP on its own I cross it at the same point as the emotiva rca out when I use xlrs...

 

[MaxwellsEq]

I am sure of myself changing the volume on my dac doesn't change the volume on the amp and on the sub the same way

Use a voltmeter to determine what the difference is. This will allow you to work out what to change

there is a difference in input gain and it shows

It's appears to be a core issue for you. Every piece of audio has different gains, because there is simply no standard applied. E.g. I would like all power amps to be in the high 20s.

 

[Chibrax]

Use a voltmeter to determine what the difference is. This will allow you to work out what to change


It's appears to be a core issue for you. Every piece of audio has different gains, because there is simply no standard applied. E.g. I would like all power amps to be in the high 20s.

Im not talking about matching the gains on the sub and the poweramp... Im talking about the xlrs (from dac) sending a stronger and more powerful signal to the poweramp and the rcas (from dac) sending a lower one thus creating an inequity between speakers and subs adding gain on the preamp doesn't do the same on speakers and sub and ultimately a difference appears.....

 

[Chibrax]

Someone having the same issue elsewhere
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=61652&start=0

 

[MaxwellsEq]

more powerful signal to the poweramp and the rcas (from dac) sending a lower one

Which is what you would expect. RCA would be 2V, XLR 4V.

 

[Chibrax]

Which is what you would expect. RCA would be 2V, XLR 4V.

Jizz... I know and I want to mitigate my issue. Just read the post entitely or dont bother.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Jizz... I know and I want to mitigate my issue. Just read the post entitely or dont bother.

Rather than use a buffer with gain/attenuation, you could consider dropping the level by using an H-Pad