[resovia]

Asking DAC 10 owners what are your volume settings for normal listening levels?

I cannot go over 20~25 depends on the gain (LL/HL) settings, it just gets too loud. Currently have 4 amps including ST 10 and behavior is the same with all of them.

[agdev01]

Try using the RCA outputs along with the LL/LH setting versus the xlr if you aren't already.  That will put it at a 2v output.

[rustydoglim]

DAC-10H can drive high efficiency speakers.
HPA-9 too.

[resovia]

My speakers are 88dB

[rustydoglim]

I think the headphone amp can only drive speakers in the mid 90s dB and above, without using a power amp.

[John Casler]

Asking DAC 10 owners what are your volume settings for normal listening levels?

I cannot go over 20~25 depends on the gain (LL/HL) settings, it just gets too loud. Currently have 4 amps including ST 10 and behavior is the same with all of them.

I have used several DAC-10 and DAC10H and the readout is usually around 35-55db.  This basically tells you nothing because I have not measured the actual db output at the listening position.  My best guess would 65-75 db average.

This is with a standard (fixed) 2v OPPO Player output, and 90db speakers.

Also it is set on HL and running XLR outputs to an ST-10 or K-38

So the elements that i might think could affect this are:

1) Source Signal Strength/Output
2) Using RCA or XLR outputs
3) Amp Sensitivity
4) Amp Gain
5) Speaker Sensitivity and on axis convergence
6) Near or Far Field listening position
7) Abundance or lack of Acoustic Treatment

[resovia]

I am using Win. PC (jRiver) over USB/OPTICAL >> DAC >> ST 10 >> 88dB speakers. Initially from factory DAC's volume is set to 50. When I installed and turned on the DAC for the first time I though I blew my speakers. Several seconds of panic before I unplugged power cord from the wall. My wife hates me for that she was in the room.
I am discussing high gain settings with person from nuPrime support and it seems the DAC is design that way.

[jonbee]

I use the LL settings, running coax digital from my PC music server or Oppo BDP-93. XLR from 10H-> ST10, 91 DB sensitive speakers. Background volume is at 15 or so, very loud is about 55. Range works just fine for me in normal use.
Perhaps the default OOOB setting might be moved down a bit.

[SFDude]

I've just received the DAC-10 and put it into my system. I'm using a MBP via USB and playing a bunch of files off my NAS or via Tidal. It is connected to a pair of ST-9s via XLRs and driving Spatial M3 Turbo S speakers.

I can't turn it beyond 20 before it gets overly loud. 

I'm using LL settings as well.

[rustydoglim]

Use RCA. You have too much gain in the setup with XLR.

[SFDude]

Use RCA. You have too much gain in the setup with XLR.

Switched to RCAs and it is not a whole lot different to the XLRs. Good listening volume at 15. 20 is about the max I can take it without overpowering the room it's in (12' x 13').

Speakers are 94dB sensitive.

[rustydoglim]

Probably it is the efficiency of your speaker and the input voltage.
The volume control is switched resistor/digital volume (inside the DAC), so it doesn't matter where is your max volume.