DAC - Integrated amp output mismatch

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by Purastikku, Mar 16, 2017.

  1. Purastikku

    Purastikku New

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    Hello all,

    I have received a new DAC, namely the AMI Musik DDH-1, connected to my integrated amp, an Audiolab 8200A. So far pleased with the DAC itself: the lack of digititis and other Sabre-nasties makes long listening sessions painless and enjoyable. Natural timbres, non-aggressive yet not rolled-off highs, and a realistic sound stage with plenty of details. Very nice.

    However I am running into a bit of an issue on the amplification side: with its ridiculously high input sensitivity (apparently around 125 mV), pushing the volume knob anywhere beyond 9 o'clock results in ear bleeding sound levels. The AMI fixed output is your regular 2 Vrms, so it is not the culprit here. Looking for possible solutions, I have come around several interesting threads, notably at the Harbeth forum.
    Apparently this problem is quite common with modern integrateds with their sub 200 mV inputs. Using "standard" CD players or other sources @2Vrms with these amps seriously limit the useful range of volume control, and puts the amp into clipping territory very quickly.

    Has any of you run into this issue? I am considering getting a couple of RCA attenuators (-10 or -15db) to deal with that, anyone with experience using this?
    Thanks
     
  2. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I use attenuators, Harrison Lab RCA -12dB between Emotiva USP-1 and XPA2, and Shure XLR set to -15 between my preamp Bryston BHA1 and Emotiva XPA 2 power amplifier. There are some good review of Shure on youtube, and Harrison Lab has good reviews as well.
    Way better volume control with no bad effects on SQ. With USP-1 is actually an improvement.

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...&m=Y&c3api=1876,92051677682,&is=REG&A=details
    https://www.amazon.com/Harrison-Lab...3582&sr=8-1&keywords=harrison+labs+attenuator
     
  3. Purastikku

    Purastikku New

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    Thank you for the advice, unfortunately Harrison Lab is hard to find in Europe aside from the Bay. I went with this, hoping it will make volume adjustment easier without coloring the sound.

    A lot of UK amplifiers appear to have ultra high sensitivity inputs, like Naim (75mV for Nait 3!) or Cyrus. I for one fail to see the advantage of designing an amp like this, apart from keeping potential customers in a showroom from playing with your control knob too much. And making the most credulous ones believe "Wow, this amp is Soooooooooo powerful, it's only at 8 o'clock and my ears are already splitting"...Never mind clipping or distortion...
     
  4. ak2angel

    ak2angel Acquaintance

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    Harrison Lab RCA works wonderfully. I'm using them with a Luxman 309 integrated (100mV sensitivity) so far I'm satisfied, no more ear-blasting volume at 7-8 o'clock, with no audible effects. Easy to setup too, plug in and ready to play immediately.
    //On a side note, I also found that many UK power amplifiers have really weird sensitivity and input impedance, which is a pain to find matching preamp. For example, Quad 606 has 500mV sensitivity and 20K input impedance, Linn LK140 has 850mV and 10K, respectively.
     
  5. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Because of the "muh power reserve lookit how much room I have left in the volume pot" and "why does the volume knob need to go more than 11 oclock? Is it broken?" types.
     
  6. Purastikku

    Purastikku New

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    Beauty of an amp you got there, and yeah, a bit of standardization (or at least some consumer awareness) on input specs wouldn't hurt, expect maybe marketing departments at Naim and other (insert your favorite meme here) "dynamic, exciting, lively" amp manufacturers.

    Yeah, having a volume pot only usable up to 10 o'clock pretty much makes the 100,000-resistors-ladder-alps-motorized-uber-precise-potentiometer-blah blah salesman pitch even more stupid... Oh well...
     

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