High DAC Output Voltage (2.7 Volts)

john65b · 28th December 2006, 11:34 PM

Got a quick question...I have a Panny DVD player (used soley as a transport) with the Optical Out going into a DAC (Entech CS8412/CS4329 24 Bit). The DAC outputs a whopping 2.7V. I have a preamp (Parasound P/HP-850), driving my Homemade UCD180s, ultimately driving my Magnepan MMGs. Sound is excellent - with such high output of DAC, I only need to raise volume 1/2 way on the pre for a volume higher then I will ever need from the maggies.

Question is: is there a problem with the high output of the DAC? Am I harming my Pre/Amp/Speakers? Like I said, sound is clean with no signs of distress from pre/amp/speakers. Is this high DAC output a perfect match for the inefficient, hard to drive Maggies?

phn · 28th December 2006, 11:47 PM

No harm. It will, as you note, make your amp go louder and, subsequently, bring it to clipping earlier. Other than that, nothing.

From what I hear, CD players (and DACs) often have higher output today than the "standard" 2V. There never was any real standard, again I'm told.

maxlorenz · 29th December 2006, 09:02 PM

High output is good if one wants to try someday some form of "passive preamp"

john65b · 29th December 2006, 09:06 PM

I actually have a Passive Pre with a ladder type Attenuator - It's a 100k...I mistakenly bought one that doesn't go to full volume - 23 steps attenuation over 3/4 normal range...looking to sell maybe...Dale/Vishay resistors and in a nice Hammond box...

Tried it with the DAC and sounds good too, I just prefer it with Parasound...

phn · 29th December 2006, 09:23 PM

I wouldn't worry about the last 1/4. There's nothing to be found there anyway. Better to use the limited steps of the attenuator where you have need for them.

28th December 2006, 11:34 PM	#1
john65b diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	High DAC Output Voltage (2.7 Volts) Got a quick question...I have a Panny DVD player (used soley as a transport) with the Optical Out going into a DAC (Entech CS8412/CS4329 24 Bit). The DAC outputs a whopping 2.7V. I have a preamp (Parasound P/HP-850), driving my Homemade UCD180s, ultimately driving my Magnepan MMGs. Sound is excellent - with such high output of DAC, I only need to raise volume 1/2 way on the pre for a volume higher then I will ever need from the maggies. Question is: is there a problem with the high output of the DAC? Am I harming my Pre/Amp/Speakers? Like I said, sound is clean with no signs of distress from pre/amp/speakers. Is this high DAC output a perfect match for the inefficient, hard to drive Maggies?

29th December 2006, 09:02 PM	#3
maxlorenz diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: osorno , Chile	High output is good if one wants to try someday some form of "passive preamp" __________________ Cheapest horn speakers: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

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28th December 2006, 11:47 PM	#2
phn diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	No harm. It will, as you note, make your amp go louder and, subsequently, bring it to clipping earlier. Other than that, nothing. From what I hear, CD players (and DACs) often have higher output today than the "standard" 2V. There never was any real standard, again I'm told.

29th December 2006, 09:06 PM	#4
john65b diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	I actually have a Passive Pre with a ladder type Attenuator - It's a 100k...I mistakenly bought one that doesn't go to full volume - 23 steps attenuation over 3/4 normal range...looking to sell maybe...Dale/Vishay resistors and in a nice Hammond box... Tried it with the DAC and sounds good too, I just prefer it with Parasound...

29th December 2006, 09:23 PM	#5
phn diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	I wouldn't worry about the last 1/4. There's nothing to be found there anyway. Better to use the limited steps of the attenuator where you have need for them.

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