DACs and output voltage

[Soulone]

Hi.

Wasn't sure to post this question in the newbie section or in here. I'm out for a new DAC and I have some doubts. In the chain, the unit is placed between a SHD Studio and a Purifi EVAL1 amp. From what I understand, reading here and there, is that I better choose a DAC with a high output voltage.....I had the D70s in mind ( 5v over XLR ) but I'm not sure now if I should maybe look at other models with even higher values....

Is this parameter ( output voltage ) impacting the sound quality somehow or it's just allowing the Purifi to be "louder" ?

Thanks.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Amir's review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...easurements-of-purifi-1et400a-amplifier.7984/

There is an extra gain stage where you only need 1.5 volts for max output or without it you need a bit more than 11 volts.

If you want to go without the extra gain stage something like the RME DAC with adjustable output voltage would do a really nice job. It can put out something over 7 volts with its max SINAD being around 7 volts. How much would you gain vs the 5 volts of the D70s? In terms of SINAD not a big difference. The main difference would be in terms of max output power it would be the difference between something like 100 watts and 200 watts.

I might go with the extra gain stage and use a normal lower voltage good DAC, and you'll turn down the volume some. For quieter sources you'll have a bit more voltage to raise those quiet sources up to a good listening level. You'll always have the max 250 watts or so available with this arrangement.
The cost of the extra gain stage is only 4 db in SINAD pretty much due to noise. As the noise is pretty low either way the loss of 4 db in return for easily getting full power looks like a good trade off. Distortion is so vanishingly low in either case not to be a concern.

 

[Soulone]

Thanks a lot for your feedback. I'd think the extra gain stage is enabled by default in the Purifi. I currently have a Musical Fidelity M1 DAC ( 4.4V ) connected to it and it's loud enough. By the way, I'm using the SHD studio to control the volume. Even if the DAC has a "Pre-amp mode", using "DAC mode" is recommended, right ?

Thanks.