[malcolm_x]

Hello
I have one I think very stuppid quastion....
When I buy a dac to my Imac, and plug by the optical cable, can I adjust volume by the computer or I will must buy only dac with preamp?

And next quastion, what do you think about this dac?
UPGRADED 24bit/192KHz DAC KIT,TOROID TRAN,CS4398, 8416. on eBay, also, Processors, Home Audio, Electronics (end time 05-Nov-08 17:24:06 GMT)

 

[blessingx]

No, can't turn down the light.

Volume is locked. It depends on how you're using a preamp and if your amp has volume controls of course.

 

[krmathis]

^ Are you sure?
Cause over here the iTunes volume control are active when I feed my DAC optical signal from my MacBook Pro. It allow me to turn down the volume.

I don't use it, since its lossy. But its certainly possible.

 

[malcolm_x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ Are you sure? Cause over here the iTunes volume control are active when I feed my DAC optical signal from my MacBook Pro. It allow me to turn down the volume. I don't use it, since its lossy. But its certainly possible.

You don`t use it, becouse it`s bad for sound quality???

 

[[L]es]

why ? haven't you heard that before ?

 

[malcolm_x]

I have problem with that, becouse I want buy dac, and I don`t know That if I buy dac without preamp function, I could changing volume by my imac directly.... Every dac with preamp function has headphone ampli but I don`t need it... besides these dac has terrible design.....

 

[[L]es]

get a usb dac..

sweeping statement: volume control on usb dac's is not as bad as the one in itunes.

 

[Currawong]

You wont be able to control the system volume, but will be able to control volume using iTunes.

Regarding that amp on eBay, if you want to start cheaply, you may as well buy a Zero DAC instead and upgrade it. If you're worried about the HP amp quality, you're going to need a better budget.

What headphones do you have or are you planning to get anyway?

 

[malcolm_x]

I don`t using headphone at all.
I`m only using active monitors yamaha Hs50m with my computer.

Thats I only want dac, I dont need headphone out.

 

[paradoe]

I prefer firewire dac

 

[Currawong]

Somewhere you'll need a volume control. If you've got a good budget and you produce music, an Apogee Duet would be a good choice, but it's considerably more expensive.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm_x /img/forum/go_quote.gif You don`t use it, becouse it`s bad for sound quality???

Correct! Anything with data loss is a clear no-no in my rig.
But you are course free to give it a try, and make up your own mind.