Is it better to turn the volume at max on the DAC and then manage with the amp ?

[Beb]

Hi,
Is it better to turn the volume at max on the DAC and then manage with the amp or whatever ? (in fact I will maybe buy the SMSL SP200 and the TOPPING D50s, and the D50s has a remote control ...).
Thank you in advance for your opinions.

 

[Veri]

Hi,
Is it better to turn the volume at max on the DAC and then manage with the amp or whatever ?

Usually, yes. If for some reason you want to prevent using the analog potentiometer, you can set it to max volume and use digital volume control instead which can work fine, too. But using the knob for volume control is generally the more pleasant way to use your gear.

 

[garbulky]

Yes to your question. But you don't want to use your analog volume control at the very lowest setting as you may get channel imbalance.

 

[solderdude]

Hi,
Is it better to turn the volume at max on the DAC and then manage with the amp or whatever ? (in fact I will maybe buy the SMSL SP200 and the TOPPING D50s, and the D50s has a remote control ...).
Thank you in advance for your opinions.

Actually it is best to set the DAC to -6dB and control the volume with the amp.
Reason: the occasional intersample overs.
Distortion performance of the D50 at -6dB and 0dB is very similar so there is no loss in fidelity. Noise floor is still far below that of any recording.

As garbulky and Veri already mentioned, the volume control of the amp may have quite some channel imbalance below 10 o'clock.
You may be lucky and have a decent pot in there. As long as you don't hear the stereo image shift to the left or right at lower volume settings there is no real problem.