How to lower output level DAC the audiophile way.

[Amauta]

Recently I bought a Lite DAC-AH. I like it a lot more than the internal DAC of my SB2. My problem is that the output level of the Lite DAC is so high that I have difficulties using the volume button on my amplifier. What is the best audiophile way to lower the output level of my DAC?

[andynormancx]

Is it possible that you at least partly prefer the sound of your external DAC precisely because it has a higher volume output compared to the SB DAC ? It wouldn't be the first time increased volume was perceived as increased audio quality.

[adamslim]

Use an attenuator - you can get RCA plugs that knock off 10dB, say. Use the SB volume to suss out the right amount of attenuation, then buy that value, or close.

[Amauta]

I was more thinking of putting in some resistors in the line out. But do these affect the sound quality?

[pfarrell]

Amauta wrote:
> I was more thinking of putting in some resistors in the line out. But do
> these affect the sound quality?

An attenuator is just a voltage divider circuit made of resistors. If
they are well matched, they just reduce the voltage output.

Since humans always think that louder music is better, at some level, it
will impact sound quality.

--
Pat Farrell
http://www.pfarrell.com/

[andynormancx]

I was more thinking of putting in some resistors in the line out. But do these affect the sound quality?

You'd better hope not, your DAC has got lots of them in it, not to mention your amp

[Themis]

Recently I bought a Lite DAC-AH. I like it a lot more than the internal DAC of my SB2. My problem is that the output level of the Lite DAC is so high that I have difficulties using the volume button on my amplifier. What is the best audiophile way to lower the output level of my DAC?

May I ask what is your amplifier ?

[Amauta]

Harman/Kardon HK6650R, not that it can't handle the input. I prefer to have more angle to graduate the volume. Now when it is 1/4 open, the volume is already too high for me.

[Themis]

(I've been using AV amplifiers for soo long, i almost forgot that you can't change input sensitivity on HiFi amps^^)

I agree with the previous : you need an attenuator, although I'm not sure it won't affect signal quality. Well, at least they're not expensive.

[Phil Leigh]

(I've been using AV amplifiers for soo long, i almost forgot that you can't change input sensitivity on HiFi amps^^)

I agree with the previous : you need an attenuator, although I'm not sure it won't affect signal quality. Well, at least they're not expensive.

Look - at line level, a simple resistor network to reduce volume will NOT impact audio quality.
You can use the Rothwell attenuators or make your own if you can solder(it's really simple).
Even if you use the worlds most expensive resistors - vishay for example - (no point at this this signal level) making your own is cheaper and more satisfying.

However even the cheapest carbon resistors will sound fine.