Volume control BYPASS

[IAmRael]

So my Gamut preamp has a bypass switch for the volume control on the cd input. If I implement this (and use the volume control on my DAC), will I lose the (much needed) gain that the preamp normally provides? TIA!

[Mike B.]

You should be able to drive the amps with the DAC volume control providing it has around 1.5-2 volts out capability. Without the added pre gain you will need to turn the DAC volume up more. The only cavort I can think of now is a very low watt amp or inefficient loudspeaker setup.

[Mr Peabody]

The volume bypass is to allow integration with a home theater set up. Depending on the DAC, I suspect you'll not improve anything by using the DAC's volume control.

Usually when a preamp has bypass it goes to Unity Gain. The point where the input signal will equal the output signal.

You pose an interesting question. Generally, when we listen to music the preamp acts as an attenuater to keep the power amp from playing at full power. We attenuate the volume to a comfortable listening level.

If the Gamut was at unity gain, then the DAC would have to attenuate. So if the signal in equals the signal out without any attenuation the sound level would be very loud.

So if I understand what you are asking you wouldn't lose the Gamut gain, it would be a fixed point called unity gain which would be at a high level in order to equal the input and output signals.

I hope I explained that without it being confusing. For example, my system, I use an input at unity gain so my power amp and speakers can be the front left/right for my home theater set up. When my preamp goes into unity gain the volume read out says 75dB, I don't think I've ever played my 2-channel set up that loud. When my stereo preamp in at unity gain, I use my HT preamp for volume duties.

Your DAC will be doing the same thing as my HT preamp in my example.

[Jack]

If you want to try using the DAC to control the volume then just take the preamp out of the chain.

[wklie]

So my Gamut preamp has a bypass switch for the volume control on the cd input. If I implement this (and use the volume control on my DAC), will I lose the (much needed) gain that the preamp normally provides? TIA!

This is system specific. Try it and see if it sounds worse (even if there is enough gain). Remember to turn the DAC volume way down first, then increase it gradually.

[IAmRael]

Thank you all very much for your responses. When I got my DAC (Totaldac d12) I decided that I preferred/needed gain between it and the amp. The Gamut preamp can bypass its volume control only in the ‘CD’ input, which is a balanced XLR input only. That being said I have been using single ended from DAC to pre and XLR from pre to amp (D’Agostino only has XLR inputs). The Totaldac is kinda unique in that any volume adjustments are made at the reclocker (prior to signal going to the DAC and remains bit perfect) and then directly from the converter (no output stage) to the next component in the chain. Soooo...I was hoping I could avoid buying additional XLR cables and having to get behind the racks to swap everything out before going to the manufacturer (Gamut) and get the details. The preamp has a ‘Unity Gain’ in addition to this CD bypass, which leads me to believe that it is different than such and may still provide gain without volume control in signal path.
From the manual:
The D 3i offers the possibility
of bypassing all analog treatment of the input by
directing the input straight to the output. Doing
so gives you the vey shortest and cleanest signal
path available.

[sakso136]

Thank you all very much for your responses. When I got my DAC (Totaldac d12) I decided that I preferred/needed gain between it and the amp. The Gamut preamp can bypass its volume control only in the ‘CD’ input, which is a balanced XLR input only. That being said I have been using single ended from DAC to pre and XLR from pre to amp (D’Agostino only has XLR inputs). The Totaldac is kinda unique in that any volume adjustments are made at the reclocker (prior to signal going to the DAC and remains bit perfect) and then directly from the converter (no output stage) to the next component in the chain. Soooo...I was hoping I could avoid buying additional XLR cables and having to get behind the racks to swap everything out before going to the manufacturer (Gamut) and get the details. The preamp has a ‘Unity Gain’ in addition to this CD bypass, which leads me to believe that it is different than such and may still provide gain without volume control in signal path.
From the manual:
The D 3i offers the possibility
of bypassing all analog treatment of the input by
directing the input straight to the output. Doing
so gives you the vey shortest and cleanest signal
path available.

Hi, i m very interested in the tube mk2 totaldac.
I will try using it direct driving my power amp wich sensivity is 1.5 v.
The tube mk2 output sensivity is 1.4v.
Do you think a seperate pream in the chain will be better for sound quality?
My interest on the tube mk2 is high, cause i just bought a d1 server totaldac, wich is outstanding !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mr Peabody]

That's really interesting, a unity gain plus another bypass. The bypass sounds like it's even more direct to output and passes all analog, so it sounds to me like there wouldn't be any gain or affect on the signal in from the DAC.

You have some nice gear.

Thank you all very much for your responses. When I got my DAC (Totaldac d12) I decided that I preferred/needed gain between it and the amp. The Gamut preamp can bypass its volume control only in the ‘CD’ input, which is a balanced XLR input only. That being said I have been using single ended from DAC to pre and XLR from pre to amp (D’Agostino only has XLR inputs). The Totaldac is kinda unique in that any volume adjustments are made at the reclocker (prior to signal going to the DAC and remains bit perfect) and then directly from the converter (no output stage) to the next component in the chain. Soooo...I was hoping I could avoid buying additional XLR cables and having to get behind the racks to swap everything out before going to the manufacturer (Gamut) and get the details. The preamp has a ‘Unity Gain’ in addition to this CD bypass, which leads me to believe that it is different than such and may still provide gain without volume control in signal path.
From the manual:
The D 3i offers the possibility
of bypassing all analog treatment of the input by
directing the input straight to the output. Doing
so gives you the vey shortest and cleanest signal
path available.