Fxdwg123;529421 Wrote: > Responding on the volume degradation issue: I currently listen to a > -48dB volume level (Transporter) and I have read somewehere that at > this level there are still 16bits left so degradation not noticable. > And to be honest, at this level the music sounds great, better then > with 100% Transporter volume via my Meridian G02 preamp. Setting the volume to -48dB means you're losing that much S/N ratio in the DAC (whether you use the TP's DAC or an external one). The fact that this sounds better than 100% through your Meridian preamp just goes to demonstrate two things:
1. The intrinsic S/N ratio (and low-bit linearity) of the DAC is pretty damn amazing, given you can sacrifice 48dB and still get good sound. 2. Preamps are, by and large, the least transparent electronic devices in a system. You need to pay a fortune for a preamp that has zero audible impact on the sound. That's why I have long been a proponent of the preamp-less configuration. I also do urge you to try the TP's own DAC against your Reference 7. If you discover that the TP is just as good, you can use it's digital volume control for external sources and have a neat setup. And you can sell the Reference 7 DAC and pocket the proceeds! -- cliveb Transporter -> ATC SCM100A ------------------------------------------------------------------------ cliveb's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=348 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=76659 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
