Right. Still spoilt for choice. Don't think too hard . My balanced Schitt Modius in the den has no volume control which in some cases is kinda annoying (but no issues when using Roon as indicated).
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Why don't DACs have volume pots?
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fieldcar
Addicted to Fun and Learning
My SMSL Su-8s works pretty well going to my JBL 306pmkii's. Digital volume knob and remote are great. The other benefit is that the RCA's can be set to match the XLR's variable output for use with my JBL 550p subwoofer. It doesn't have a proper HP&LP crossover, but I've got it dialed in to fill the JBL's cutoff pretty well.
Something like this would go between your DAC and monitors.
www.sweetwater.com
www.thomann.de
Heritage Audio Baby RAM 2-channel Monitoring System
Passive 2-channel Monitor Control System with 2 x TRS I/O, Mute, Dim, Mono, and Master Level Controls
www.sweetwater.com
Mackie Big Knob Passive
Monitor Controller For up to two monitor pairs and two stereo sources, Passive +4 dB signal path without separate power supply unit, Large volume control, Switch for mute, dim, mono, monitor and signal source, 2 Stereo line inputs: 6.3 mm jack...
www.thomann.de
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PC (USB) -> (USB) DAC (balanced analogue) -> Balanced Analogue Volume Control -> (Balanced) Monitors.
Personally, I would just buy a DAC with a headphone and pre-amp feature like the Topping EX5. It will work perfectly in your application. It 'remembers' headphone and pre-amp volume independently, so there's no nasty surprises when switching between them.
Alternatively, look at the well measuring USB interfaces by the likes of Motu and Focusrite.
fieldcar
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SMSL SU-9 Balanced DAC Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the brand new SMSL SU-9 Balanced USB DAC. It was kindly sent to me by one of their distributors, Shenzhenaudio. The SU-9 will be released September 30th and will cost US $439.99. The SU-9 has a simpler but in my opinion more elegant look than...
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strea
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So looks like SMSL SU-9n or Topping E70 would both serve my purpose well. Is there any advantage to one or the other? I do not need MQA or Bluetooth or anything fancy really. Although it would be nice to be able to control bass easily (like a bass knob in a car).. but I understand I can also use Equalizer APO for that.SMSL SU-9 Balanced DAC Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the brand new SMSL SU-9 Balanced USB DAC. It was kindly sent to me by one of their distributors, Shenzhenaudio. The SU-9 will be released September 30th and will cost US $439.99. The SU-9 has a simpler but in my opinion more elegant look than...
fieldcar
Addicted to Fun and Learning
They'll all sound the same, but I don't think there is any EQ built in. You'll need to look into something like RME's or minidsp's DAC's for built in EQ.
@scar1g it would better to discuss all your requirement in a single thread.... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...bwoofer-dac-for-genelec-8020d-or-8030c.42081/
Maybe ask one of the mods to merge them.
Maybe ask one of the mods to merge them.
That's what I thought you wanted (you didn't ask for a DAC recommendation). I think you have confused things by using the term 'pot'. A 'pot' implies analogue volume control and why would you do that in a DAC when it's much easier on the digital side (where it's already a feature of the DAC chip). There are plenty of DACs with rotary volume controls, however, these controls are not 'pots', they are rotary encoders that are used to send a signal to the DAC chip to change the digital volume (or other things like menus).
rationaltime
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Some buyers want no volume control, and are as firm in their
choice as you are.
By the way,
Radial Engineering USB Pro has USB input with left and right XLR
output and a volume control. It is powered through the USB.
Thanks,
rationaltime
choice as you are.
By the way,
Radial Engineering USB Pro has USB input with left and right XLR
output and a volume control. It is powered through the USB.
Thanks,
rationaltime
Count Arthur
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Berwhale has just beaten me to it, but I've added pictures.
When you say a volume pot, do you in fact mean DACs that include a volume control?
To clarify, a volume pot (potentiometer) is a specific thing, it's an analoge variable resister, an electromechanical device, like these:
Whereas most DACs use a rotary encoder to control the DAC chip or a circuit to adjust the volume electronically.
This is a rotary encoder, it looks sort of similar, but it doesn't effect the signal directly, it kind of works like the volume up and down buttons on a remote control:
My two DACs (exaSound and Okto) have volume controls but I prefer to run this to control the volume in the PC:
USB Controller USB Volume/Audio Adjuster PC Speakers Switch Control Module for Adjusting Volume of Computer/Laptop
It is a USB Volume/Audio Adjuster/Controller/Switch, Blue breathing light is interacted with operation. Soft blue light indoor and in the evening and you can adjust it lighting or closing. Big chassis, metal body, HIFI appearance, stable using, without movement, one finger operation, quick reactio
www.droking.com
The lowest output level for RME is +4dBu which equals 1.228Vrms (0dB volume setting). That's much lower than most balanced DACs, 4Vrms (~14.3dBu) is typical.
Generally though: attenuate the digital signal all you want, the SINAD will still be much higher than what the speakers are capable of reproducing.
Generally though: attenuate the digital signal all you want, the SINAD will still be much higher than what the speakers are capable of reproducing.
Berwhale has just beaten me to it, but I've added pictures.
When you say a volume pot, do you in fact mean DACs that include a volume control?
To clarify, a volume pot (potentiometer) is a specific thing, it's an analoge variable resister, an electromechanical device, like these:
View attachment 265211 View attachment 265213
Whereas most DACs use a rotary encoder to control the DAC chip or a circuit to adjust the volume electronically.
This is a rotary encoder, it looks sort of similar, but it doesn't effect the signal directly, it kind of works like the volume up and down buttons on a remote control:
View attachment 265214
And then there's optical rotary encoders. Who remembers mice with balls in
Mouse Rotary Encoder: The Working Principle and How to Connect It With the Arduino
the mouse rotary encoder is the ideal device for the job as the sensor helps you convert the oscillation of a knob to an output signal.
www.ourpcb.com
Probably money
But seriously tho, a good question. On one hand there is the cost issue - A practical application of volume pot after the output will result in high output impedance and hence require another buffer stage to bring the impedance back down. But cost doesn't explain the whole story and something that is needed will need to be added regardless of cost.
Which brings us to the second point - The current meta is that line-level output connections do not require a physical volume control. Like the 3.5mm out from your computer, or your phone, or the RCA from your BD player, and DAC. CD players / walkmen used to have a physical volume control, but my MP3 player from 2002 has switched to digital. And since most audio hosts are already capable of digital volume control on their own and the DAC just needs to do one thing, the addition of another volume control is deemed unnecessary by the meta especially in a use case where most equipment are expected to have a dBFS between 300mV to 2V.
Headphone out on the other hand still warrants a volume control be it digital or analogue, since nobody knows what output level is really needed. Same for speaker amps in a similar vein. And going back to the BD player example, we can see that the necessary volume control is one attached to the output equipment, or something that is your main control hub (e.g. TV, or AVR), while the rest of the chain... not so much. You can always buy a DAC with a volume control and multiple inputs so it becomes your main control hub... which reminds me, we call integrated amps integrated because they come with a volume control with input switching, while power amps don't. So ultimately, the meta decides everything.
But seriously tho, a good question. On one hand there is the cost issue - A practical application of volume pot after the output will result in high output impedance and hence require another buffer stage to bring the impedance back down. But cost doesn't explain the whole story and something that is needed will need to be added regardless of cost.
Which brings us to the second point - The current meta is that line-level output connections do not require a physical volume control. Like the 3.5mm out from your computer, or your phone, or the RCA from your BD player, and DAC. CD players / walkmen used to have a physical volume control, but my MP3 player from 2002 has switched to digital. And since most audio hosts are already capable of digital volume control on their own and the DAC just needs to do one thing, the addition of another volume control is deemed unnecessary by the meta especially in a use case where most equipment are expected to have a dBFS between 300mV to 2V.
Headphone out on the other hand still warrants a volume control be it digital or analogue, since nobody knows what output level is really needed. Same for speaker amps in a similar vein. And going back to the BD player example, we can see that the necessary volume control is one attached to the output equipment, or something that is your main control hub (e.g. TV, or AVR), while the rest of the chain... not so much. You can always buy a DAC with a volume control and multiple inputs so it becomes your main control hub... which reminds me, we call integrated amps integrated because they come with a volume control with input switching, while power amps don't. So ultimately, the meta decides everything.
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Sorry to bring up an old thread...i have a Joying car headunit with a smsl su1 dac attatched and ive lost my ability to control the volume with the headunit hardware volume when the dac is attatched. Could i use this?My two DACs (exaSound and Okto) have volume controls but I prefer to run this to control the volume in the PC:
USB Controller USB Volume/Audio Adjuster PC Speakers Switch Control Module for Adjusting Volume of Computer/Laptop
It is a USB Volume/Audio Adjuster/Controller/Switch, Blue breathing light is interacted with operation. Soft blue light indoor and in the evening and you can adjust it lighting or closing. Big chassis, metal body, HIFI appearance, stable using, without movement, one finger operation, quick reactiowww.droking.com
I think you just need to evaluate the right set of features you need.
Like I have a dac w/ vol. and a preamp /vol. running to a really odd 'integrated/power amp' - that also has a vol. trim control....
I look back and the sources i used... cd, ld and dvd decks.. do they have vol? no
if you dont need that feature dont buy it.
Further the DAC I'm using right now has a real odd vol. control.
It starts at 00 and goes to -40 - its an attentuator. And further it does not save settings... it has no NVRAM. You lose power you lose all settings.
I would not seriously use this to active control a dumb power amp... lest you have Topping problems.
Like I have a dac w/ vol. and a preamp /vol. running to a really odd 'integrated/power amp' - that also has a vol. trim control....
I look back and the sources i used... cd, ld and dvd decks.. do they have vol? no
if you dont need that feature dont buy it.
Further the DAC I'm using right now has a real odd vol. control.
It starts at 00 and goes to -40 - its an attentuator. And further it does not save settings... it has no NVRAM. You lose power you lose all settings.
I would not seriously use this to active control a dumb power amp... lest you have Topping problems.
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