Quote: Guess not, techenvy :)  

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn ...The SNR won't be affected by the pot position, which is one of the great benefits of using an analog volume control. Whatever noise is going into the pot will be attenuated or amplified equally w/ respect to the signal. Therefore, the...

[That's weird - an earlier post I made above, disappeared overnight! So I will post it again.] Elias, I'm curious please: You've mentioned earlier that the ideal volume-dial position on the DAC1 is between approximately 12 and 3 o'clock, and that attenuating below this can compromise system...

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn ... the ideal amp will drive YOUR speakers to YOUR comfortable listening level when the DAC1's volume control is between 11 o'clock and 3 o'clock... Sorry to not check-in for a while - over here we've been enjoying the music! Elias just...

Well, it wasn't easy - but I finally located a great solid-state stereo amp (not class-D or tube) with excellent specifications, and that produces less than 30 watts with an input sensitivity greater than 1.5 volts. As always, Elias is correct - this has in fact made a very noticeable and...

Hey Elias (and gang), I will definitely have to try those Focals - thanks for the reference! May I ask again please: With active speakers, does the previous advice that one's regular listening levels should reach up to around 3:00 on the DAC1 volume dial, still hold? Also, is anybody aware...

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn If you're going to be changing your amplifier, remember that it IS important to have ample headroom. In other words, don't go TOO small. Ideally, the unbalanced input of the amp would be capable of the full 2.75 Vrms (7.75 Vp-p) output of the...

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn So, in your case, the output from the DAC1 is around 0.25 V. This is a very small percentage of your amplifier's operating range. Your amplifier's input circuitry will have a certain noise level, which is also amplified along with the input...

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn They're not dumb questions! I'm happy to explain. Tell me this... You use the RCA outputs of the DAC1 to directly drive your amplifier, correct? Where do you normally have the volume control set? When using the RCA outputs, and for our...

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn I agree with them, for the most part. I'll clarify my statement: It is best to have an amplifier whose input peaks at the same level as the maximum output level of the source (e.g., DAC, PRE), and this amplifier/speaker combination should only...

Hi Elias, I read your online post regarding the use of the DAC1 directly connected to the amp, where you advise the following: Quote from Elias Gwinn: "Avoid using amplifiers that are too powerful for your system! You'll get best results when using 75-95% of the amps total power." I...

Quote: Originally Posted by G-U-E-S-T ...please, what specifically is responsible for this crackling sound in a worn volume pot, and what is the particular difference in the new pot that makes it less susceptible to the issue over time? That is, do these volume pots use "brushes" (or...

It seems we've lost contact with Elias - hey Elias, are you still there? I hope all our ongoing questions haven't totally worn you out!

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn ...The DAC1 HDR's potentiometer is much higher quality, and is less prone to this issue... Hi Elias, I noticed you mentioned "less" prone - does this imply that the new pot is probably still susceptible (to some lesser degree) however, to...

Hi Elias, Naive question please: With the new remote-motorized volume control, is it better to always use the remote for volume adjustment, instead of turning the volume control manually? I.E. Is it now discouraged (or perhaps risky to the operation of the motorized pot etc), to make a habit...

Hi Elias, Just wanted to ask, if you could please consider adding those little 12v in/out triggers on the next iteration of the DAC1? It would be so great if we could turn on/off an entire system, via the DAC1 remote control - and would also make it even more "family friendly" for home...

Hi Elias, Just wanted to say that if Benchmark does decide to offer a trade-up program (DAC1-PRE to DAC1-HDR), I would likely take advantage of it. As you know, my family and I absolutely love our DAC1-PRE (received in 10/08), it has radically improved our music listening experience and made...

Hi Elias, I see the website description says "The DAC1 HDR’s (High Dynamic Range) motor-driven (Alps potentiometer) volume control maintains the dynamic range of the converter and audio output. In contrast, digital volume controls reduce dynamic range, and analog volume IC’s introduce...

Elias, just wanted to say thanks again to you and all at Benchmard Media for making this great DAC1 PRE. My family and I (and our guests) all just love it. We currently use it with a Logitech Squeezebox 3 (optical connection), with great results. Best Regards!

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn The DAC1 PRE is robust enough that you don't need to worry about it. I'd recommend not dropping it down the stairs or running over it with your car, but it may even survive that. ...the wonders of surface mount soldering... Thanks, Elias...

Hi Elias, We continue to really enjoy our DAC1 PRE - it has tremendously increased our enjoyment of music in our home. I keep forgetting to ask you this next question, and it is a weird one - so get ready! How robust/durable is the DAC1 PRE? I ask this because I previously had a DAC unit...

Thank you Elias, I really appreciate your advice. P.S. I am going to have to send you some tech support money soon, for all your nice help!

Quote: Originally Posted by EliasGwinn The volume control and calibration potentiometers both control active gain circuits. They are never passive. This applies to both the digital and analog inputs. With regards to question #3, what power device are you referring to? Thanks...

Another benefit of balanced interconnects is the avoidance of ground loops. Elias, may I ask a few questions please: 1) When using the analog inputs of the DAC1 PRE, does the volume control run strictly passively, or does it apply gain at some point on the dial (if so, where on the dial)...

Quote: Originally Posted by bizkid ...2x resampling with a resampler that leaves almost no measurable artifacts vs 1x with a so-so one is a BIG difference which you can easily measure and see with your eyes... Quote from a SOS review: Benchmark DAC1 "The aspect that initially...