[firedog]

Thanks Firedog,

I was shocked that this works. For some reason I thought the volume control on the SB Touch degraded sound quality below 80%? Maybe thats just a myth?

It's not a myth. It chops off bits. The simple solution for you would be to get a volume attenuator. You can get a good one on Amazon for about $60.
http://www.amazon.com/SM-Pro-Audio-Passive-Attenuator/dp/B000T9K8ZO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330064659&sr=8-1

[steve k]

Does this mean I should run my SB volume at 100%?
steve k

[jtwrace]

Does this mean I should run my SB volume at 100%?
steve k

If you use a pre to control volume then yes.  Digital volume control does degrade the quality.

[Vedder323]

Make sure to set your gain pots at a point at or just above the maximum volume you would listen at if the SB was turn up to 100%.

You lost me here man, can you explain?

BTW: Has anyone used the Dodd buffer with these amps? Does it work well and do the amps get loud without the buffer introducing gain?

[krikor]

You lost me here man, can you explain?

Because you lose more bits of resolution the lower you go in volume on the SB3, you want to minimize the amount you have to turn it down to get to a normal listening level.  With the SDS amps you can do this by adjusting the gain pots downward, in other words lowering the gain (volume) of the amps rather than the volume output of your SB3.

You just need to set the amp's gain pots at a level that the volume gets loud enough for your tastes when the SB3 is at 100%.

[praedet]

You lost me here man, can you explain?

BTW: Has anyone used the Dodd buffer with these amps? Does it work well and do the amps get loud without the buffer introducing gain?

I use the Buffer with a fixed gain (vishay) SDS-254.  Works great and can get well beyond comfortable listening volume...

[roymail]

Has anyone used the Dodd buffer with these amps? Does it work well and do the amps get loud without the buffer introducing gain?

Vedder323, just plug your cd player straight into your amp and put on some soft music (nothing loud), and this will show you how loud your system can play with  no gain.

The Dodd buffer works great with my Goldpoint attenuator, and much better than the Goldpoint by itself.  It adds dynamics, wide soundstage, not in your face but beautiful clarity at all volume levels.

[mikeeastman]

Praedet what is the value of the vishay you use?

[praedet]

1 kOhm

[mboxler]

1 kOhm

praedet

Did you ever try to run a bare wire between posts 2 and 3 instead of a resister?  I've never been convinced that a resister can be quieter than a wire jumper, but could be wrong!

Just courious.

Mike

[roscoeiii]

Mike,

Not sure if it would work without a resister, but the resister is also what is determining the gain of the amp. Very worthwhile for a number of reasons (noise floor and greater finetuning of the volume control being the biggies for me).

[praedet]

I did not in fact try that as the gain would be very high...

[mboxler]

Mike,

Not sure if it would work without a resister, but the resister is also what is determining the gain of the amp. Very worthwhile for a number of reasons (noise floor and greater finetuning of the volume control being the biggies for me).

Works great with my Dodd Buffer (no gain, no gain).  I agree...love the flexiblility to match any other pre-amp!

[roscoeiii]

So you have completely bypassed the pots with no resister at all? Good to know that can work in appropriate set ups. Duly noted.

[mboxler]

So you have completely bypassed the pots with no resister at all? Good to know that can work in appropriate set ups. Duly noted.

Actually, I took two of the power on/off connectors (two wire) that I didn't need, used a file to flatten the side, cut and soldered the two wires together, and popped in on pins 2 and 3.  This can be used for a resistor as well!  Easily backed out, if you want to go back to the pots.

[Vedder323]

Getting Excited, Tom is testing my amp before shipment... 

Think the 470 will have any trouble man handling my Gallos? Tom thinks the amp will smack em around and have them begging for more...

Cant wait!

Now, to preamp or not to preamp, that is the question!

[maxitonus]

To Vedder:
I suggest you not to preamp.
You'd loose some transparency ...but my suggestion is under condition your dac includes a digital volume control.
About extreme treble, i suggest you tu use low capacitance interconnects between the dac and the amp and litz wire for the treble section of your speakers.
I also tested an additional definition in treble when using a mains cable of better design than the standard one.

[dr_skoobie]

If you use a pre to control volume then yes.  Digital volume control does degrade the quality.

This sub-thread is very interesting to me.  It was my intent to try the SDS-254 in balanced mode with something like a Matrix Mini-i driving it directly, relying on the digital volume control.  Would prefer not to use the Nano patch, or any attenuator that does not offer a balanced output.

Can anyone running a digital volume control directly into the SDS amps comment on your perceptions?  Can you in fact discern differences at different volume levels?

thanks!

dr_s

[Barry_NJ]

Getting Excited, Tom is testing my amp before shipment... 

Think the 470 will have any trouble man handling my Gallos? Tom thinks the amp will smack em around and have them begging for more...

Cant wait!

Now, to preamp or not to preamp, that is the question!

I'm very interested in your impressions of this amp driving your Gallo Reference 3. x speakers.
I've been debating one of these amps for some time now for my 3.5s.

What are you using now?

I'm using an Audio Alchemy DLC w/ PS3 > Audio Alchemy OM-150 w/ PSU150 &PSU150M.

[roscoeiii]

Vedder, I hope you can try with and without a pre. An acitve pre has many advantages in terms of dynamics and impact. Try both and see how each matches your tastes and system