DAC under 1500USD with top performance volume control

[VintageFlanker]

My be @VintageFlanker can do it with the E70

Already done by @amirm, no?

 

[BR52]

Already done by @amirm, no?
View attachment 266858

He changed the input signal not the volume dial. Can be different see RME and Matrix

 

[Thorsten Loesch]

been searching and searching to find a good DAC that would have pre amp performance (all I need is volume control and balanced outputs) at the same level of a Schiit Freya or a Topping Pre90 for example.

straight to my powered speakers (Genelec G series) and I'm done with this game

You need a really good DAC and a Big Knob!

Mackie Big Knob Passive

It uses TRS connectors and not XLR's and internally it is not balanced (despite being "Studio" gear - balanced is mostly BS anyway) and is dirt cheap.

You could also make your own as a DIY Project:

Passive Monitor Controller

Personally I'd be tempted to use a 10k : 600 CT Transformer on the input (usually monitors have way too much gain anyway) and a 4-deck, 47 position ELMA stepped attenuator in 300 Ohm per deck. But that is gilding the lily and probably overkill when driving commodity level monitors.

Thor

 

[Sokel]

He changed the input signal not the volume dial can be different

WAY different!
(simple loopback,don't make me connect everything again!)

-15bd by device's pot (Amir's brand new 2 weeks test)

-15db by input level (Amir's old test)

Edit:measurement without glitch

 

[BR52]

If you have internal gain switching in the DAC depending on the dial position or not this will make the difference or how the DACs volume control works. Chip depends.

 

[Sokel]

If you have internal gain switching in the DAC depending on the dial position or not this will make the difference

In the first measurement I just used E-MU's (crappy) headphone's output pot.
In the second,pot is full on and just dialed down analyzers input level.Have a look at the difference in THD,almost 15db!

(see the second one I changed,it has a glitch before)

(No volume control on that chip,it's 15 yo AKM4396)

Edit:When I find time I'll do the same for Khadas who has VC like the new DACs,stay tuned.

 

[BR52]

Wow that’s the reason I talked seeing the full chain well performing components coupled together can be not so nice because the standardization here is not well established. Anyhow let us go back to the thead here the DAC with or without preamp function and how to measure.

 

[Sokel]

Wow that’s the reason I talked seeing the full chain well performing components coupled together can be not so nice because the standardization here is not well established. Anyhow let us go back to the thead here the DAC with or without preamp function and how to measure.

Yep,I wish everyone would get a cheap ADC and measure his chain,it's useful and it's fun!
That's one of my configurations from side to side,right at the output of my elecronic xover,including everything in the chain except amps and speakers,I can even see the slopes of my rig.

(right,back to thread now!)

 

[BR52]

How can we convince @amirm to do the dial test in future?