Why don't DACs have volume pots?

[strea]

I want a DAC for my active studio monitors, but if you take a Schiit Bifrost for example.. it has no volume control? Why do I need an amp/DAC combo for volume control when my active monitors are already amplified on their own. The amp section is therefore wasted for my purpose, no?

What fundamental am I not understanding? Do I need to look for a DAC/preamp combo? I want a DAC for my studio monitors with a physical volume pot.

 

[Jmudrick]

I want a DAC for my active studio monitors, but if you take a Schiit Bifrost for example.. it has no volume control? Why do I need an amp/DAC combo for volume control when my active monitors are already amplified on their own. The amp section is therefore wasted for my purpose, no?

What fundamental am I not understanding? Do I need to look for a DAC/preamp combo? I want a DAC for my studio monitors with a physical volume pot.

Buy one that has a volume control. Not hard (RME and Topping here).

 

[Berwhale]

Turn your question around the other way. Why would a DAC have an analogue volume control?

You can add something like this to a DAC for volume control...

Thomann Studio Monitor Controllers

Studio Monitor Controllers at Europe's largest retailer of musical instruments - fast delivery, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty

www.thomann.de

 

[Berwhale]

Buy one that has a volume control. Not hard.

Many have volume control, but it's usually digital.

 

[JustJones]

Benchmark dacs use a hybrid gain volume system.

 

[Jmudrick]

Many have volume control, but it's usually digital.

They have physical knobs (most) . I interpreted use of the word "pot" merely as a generational giveaway.

 

[strea]

Buy one that has a volume control. Not hard (RME and Topping here).

Yes, I originally had my eyes on the RME ADI-2 DAC, but I've read that when combining them with Genelec studio monitors, it's difficult to utilize RME to it's full potential without using attenuators. Note this conversation on RME forum (hopefully it is not against the rules to post other sites, I apologize if so).

ADI-2 DAC with Genelec 8020D - speaker input sensitivity (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum

ADI-2 DAC with Genelec 8020D - speaker input sensitivity (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum —

forum.rme-audio.de

 

[strea]

Turn your question around the other way. Why would a DAC have an analogue volume control?

You can add something like this to a DAC for volume control...

Thomann Studio Monitor Controllers

Studio Monitor Controllers at Europe's largest retailer of musical instruments - fast delivery, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty

www.thomann.de

Thank you for your response. Although, as a noob, I'm not sure how this would all connect. The DAC goes USB to the PC, the XLRs go from the DAC -> Subwoofer -> Monitors. Where does the analogue volume control fit into the setup physically? Thank you.

 

[JustJones]

Yes, I originally had my eyes on the RME ADI-2 DAC, but I've read that when combining them with Genelec studio monitors, it's difficult to utilize RME to it's full potential without using attenuators. Note this conversation on RME forum (hopefully it is not against the rules to post other sites, I apologize if so).

ADI-2 DAC with Genelec 8020D - speaker input sensitivity (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum

ADI-2 DAC with Genelec 8020D - speaker input sensitivity (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum —

forum.rme-audio.de

Benchmark dacs also have attenuation settings. You remove the cover and change jumpers.

 

[Jmudrick]

Yes, I originally had my eyes on the RME ADI-2 DAC, but I've read that when combining them with Genelec studio monitors, it's difficult to utilize RME to it's full potential without using attenuators. Note this conversation on RME forum (hopefully it is not against the rules to post other sites, I apologize if so).

ADI-2 DAC with Genelec 8020D - speaker input sensitivity (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum

ADI-2 DAC with Genelec 8020D - speaker input sensitivity (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum —

forum.rme-audio.de

Right. I'm attenuating a bit in Roon to get to -15db but I think it's fine.

 

[strea]

Benchmark dacs also have attenuation settings. You remove the cover and change jumpers.

Do not think I would be comfortable tinkering with expensive equipment. More or less looking for something that is going to work "out of the box". I'm okay with adjusting settings in menus etc., but that's prob where I draw the line.

 

[strea]

Right. I'm attenuating a bit in Roon to get to -15db but I think it's fine.

Hmm I use JRiver, but doesn't the volume control in the PC get bypassed once connected to DAC anyways?

 

[Jmudrick]

Hmm I use JRiver, but doesn't the volume control in the PC get bypassed once connected to DAC anyways?

I'm using Roon volume control not Windows mixer. Re your earlier reference there is no analog volume control only digital.

 

[strea]

I'm using Roon volume control not Windows mixer.

Understood. Must be different on my end. When I tell JRiver to connect directly to my current DAC/AMP (for headphones), it bypasses the JRiver and Windows control, only the volume pot on my amp has control over volume.

 

[Jmudrick]

Understood. Must be different on my end. When I tell JRiver to connect directly to my current DAC/AMP (for headphones), it bypasses the JRiver and Windows control, only the volume pot on my amp has control over volume.

No longer familiar with JRiver settings but I'm sure someone here can advise.

 

[strea]

No longer familiar with JRiver settings but I'm sure someone here can advise.

At the end of the day, I'd like all my sources at 90-100% and control everything via physical knob. Just need to find a DAC that suits the purpose I suppose. Still researching..

 

[JustJones]

Do not think I would be comfortable tinkering with expensive equipment. More or less looking for something that is going to work "out of the box". I'm okay with adjusting settings in menus etc., but that's prob where I draw the line.

I can understand that but in the manual benchmark advises to change the jumpers in certain situations and has photos showing the way to do it. Besides there is no reason it might not work out of the box. You were asking for certain criteria, good volume control via a physical knob and possible attenuation. Benchmark has both.

 

[Jmudrick]

At the end of the day, I'd like all my sources at 90-100% and control everything via physical knob. Just need to find a DAC that suits the purpose I suppose. Still researching..

Spoilt for choice if all you need is a volume knob. My Dx3Pro in the bedroom meets that bill with flying colors. Well amber.

 

[strea]

I can understand that but in the manual benchmark advises to change the jumpers in certain situations and has photos showing the way to do it. Besides there is no reason it might not work out of the box. You were asking for certain criteria, good volume control via a physical knob and possible attenuation. Benchmark has both.

Yes, they look like they start at 2.1K though, that's a bit out of my price range. Was looking more towards 1K or lower. Appreciate your info though.

 

[strea]

Spoilt for choice if all you need is a volume knob. My Dx3Pro in the bedroom meets that bill with flying colors. Well amber.

Think I need XLR connections as well. The subwoofer only accepts XLR and monitors only accept XLR, might as well go full balanced connects.