HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

It gets expensive for long length, I think cost is the limitation. I know of one person using 5m.

OK thanks. I just read somewhere that running long interconnects from a Passive Pre is not a good idea.

Only low cap leads like NVA ones can be used in long lengths. Others will roll the treble off.

terrybooth wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2019 1:33 pm Like others here, I use a digital front end (Raspberry Pi or Chromecast) but always through a NVA preamp. I can attenuate either at the pre-amp or in the software driving the DAC (although I have disabled this on the Raspberry PI/Volumio mix)

My streamer of choice - the Auralic Mini - will be where I digitally attenuate the volume - I am just debating on adding a linear power supply to further improve the Mini.

Just wondering - you use the Raspberry Pi and can attenuate in the software driving the DAC - are you connected to a fixed non-variable external DAC but can still attenuate the digits by the software ahead of the DAC? I didn't think that was possible.

In Volumio OS for Pi, there is an option to adjust output volume via the software user interface.

Sonos units do this as well.

wackyraces wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 7:52 am Just wondering - you use the Raspberry Pi and can attenuate in the software driving the DAC - are you connected to a fixed non-variable external DAC but can still attenuate the digits by the software ahead of the DAC? I didn't think that was possible.

I use the DAC board on the Pi - not a digital output - the outputs from that go into one of the inputs (not the direct input) on the P90SA.
Similarly the Chromecast analogue outputs go into pre-amp inputs.

So I am attenuating either in software or in the preamp.

Fretless wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:34 am In Volumio OS for Pi, there is an option to adjust output volume via the software user interface.

Sonos units do this as well.

OK so let’s be clear - if I put a fixed volume DAC (one that cannot be attenuated for example the docs £5 Chinese DAC) - on the end of either a Sonos or Volumino the transport’s software can control the volume ahead of the DAC?

Yes. Just checked on Volumio through a fixed-output DAC.

I stream FLAC CD rips, and Apple Music from my iPhone into an Apple TV 3, then via digital out into a Toppings D30 DAC and into my NVA setup. I set the volume on my Pre amp to the upper limit of comfortable volume, then can control overall volume using iPhone volume buttons.

Works a treat. Sounds great too. That DAC was cheap, but sounds fantastic. Better than the DAC in my SACD Player.
Marlin

The Topping DAC seems to be quite a good budget unit. I might get one to play with sometime.