Topping D50s DAC Volume Control in analog domain?

[cdg777]

Does anybody happen to know whether the D50s' volume control is "before" or "after" the DAC.
I'm wondering if the volume affects the signal resolution.
thanks.

 

[gvl]

Neither. It is "on" the DAC - uses the DAC chip built-in volume control. I suppose your real question if it is analog or digital, and it is the latter. Unless you attenuate way down below -30dB to compensate for a sensitive amp it shouldn't matter much.

 

[cdg777]

Unless you attenuate way down below -30dB to compensate for a sensitive amp it shouldn't matter much.

I like the Jotunheim, but in my setup I'm not close to it, so adjusting volume becomes a pain; I'm thinking I can use the D50s' remote for volume, just worried quality may suffer. I'm just a noob, so I don't know whether the Jot is "a sensitive amp"

 

[Roberto]

Neither. It is "on" the DAC - uses the DAC chip built-in volume control. I suppose your real question if it is analog or digital, and it is the latter. Unless you attenuate way down below -30dB to compensate for a sensitive amp it shouldn't matter much.

gvl,

Can you quantify way down below -30dB?

I rarely use my D50 any louder than -30dB. I have always wondered if I could improve sound quality using less digital attenuation, say with a less sensitive power amp. Or is around -30dB ok?

 

[gvl]

-30dB raises the noise floor to about -90dB. It's "ok", but for hi-res you probably want to stay a bit higher than that. -40dB raises the noise floor to -80dB, etc.

 

[Roberto]

-30dB raises the noise floor to about -90dB. It's "ok", but for hi-res you probably want to stay a bit higher than that. -40dB raises the noise floor to -80dB, etc.

I stream from Tidal HiFi. So, maybe it’s nothing to worry about.

 

[gvl]

I stream from Tidal HiFi. So, maybe it’s nothing to worry about.

MQA/masters is technically hi-res, so maybe there is if you want to be picky about it.

 

[Roberto]

Unfortunately, my set up can’t decode MQA (some would say fortunately). I’m only streaming Tidal lossless.

So, hopefully I’m ok around -30dB