[richny]

I've had my signature 30 for almost 6 months now and I really have to say it is just a terrific unit.  I am using it with Ohm Microwalsh Tall speakers and the combination is great.  I would like to know if the quality of sound is optimal at any volume setting of the knob, particularly at the low end?  With my new Monarchy DAC and interconnects, I seem to be getting a stronger signal from my Squeezebox server.  I can't advance the volume setting past the first click without the output being too loud.  Is this a problem that I have to correct with attenuators or am I getting full fidelity at this setting?  Appreciate any input from Vinnie or other knowledgable owners.

[Vinnie R.]

With my new Monarchy DAC and interconnects, I seem to be getting a stronger signal from my Squeezebox server.  I can't advance the volume setting past the first click without the output being too loud.

Hi richny,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum!

This sounds very odd because at the first click on the DACT volume attenuator, the attenuation is at least -60dB.  How much output voltage does that Monarchy DAC have? 

Are you sure that you are connecting it to the RCA input jacks of the Signature 30 (the upper two jacks and not the output jacks (the lower RCA jacks)?  Doing so would cause the very loud volume problem that you are experiencing 

Please let me know.

Thanks,

Vinnie

PS: Glad to hear that you are enjoying your Signature 30 + Ohm Microwalsh combo!
   Thanks for posting!

[richny]

Oops, you got that one pegged.  In connecting my new interconnects (silver - high resolution from MAC) I did connect them to the lower output connectors by mistake.  I reinstalled them to the upper outputs and now the volume is working properly.  I get the same loudness level at 5 clicks or about 9 o'clock on the knob.  I am using a Monarchy Audio NM24 DAC but I don't know the output level of the signal.  I do know that the Sig 30 has plenty of power for the microwalsh speakers.  I'm still interested whether there is there a sweet spot on the knob like on some passive amps which lose some base on the low end setting.  Thanks and good luck with the new update to the units.  I may jump in for an upgrade at some point.

[Vinnie R.]

I'm still interested whether there is there a sweet spot on the knob like on some passive amps which lose some base on the low end setting.  Thanks and good luck with the new update to the units.  I may jump in for an upgrade at some point.

Hi richny,

The DACT CT2 (as well as the Goldpoint attenuators that we will be using with the 30.2) use high-precision fixed resistors (that are very closely matched between the two channels) and a very high quality swiss-made switch.  Max distortion is spec'd at 0.001% and the bandwidth is way beyond the audio spectrum... I believe 50MHz!

Regarding a sweet spot on the stepped attenuator volume control, I'm not so sure if there is a known reference spot.  Depending on your source, speakers, room, recording, etc... I'm sure you will find a volume setting that sounds best, and this is true for both active and passive preamps, but there is no "standard" or constant sweet spot on the volume dial that applies for all systems and this is because of all the system variables that I mentioned above.  It is one of those things that you will need to be the judge of 

Best regards,

Vinnie