[luvmusic8]

Arthur Salvatore (www.highend-audio.com) recommends that amplifier be connected directly to CDP with volume control bypassing any preamp for the shortest signal path and therefore best sonic quality. I connect a USB DAC to a tubed amp without volume control, and have to use itunes' volume control. Will this digital volume control compromise the sound quality? Is there a better alternative to having an analogue volume control other than a passive linestage or TVC which requires interconnect in the signal path?

[NewBuyer]

Arthur Salvatore (www.highend-audio.com) recommends that amplifier be connected directly to CDP with volume control bypassing any preamp for the shortest signal path and therefore best sonic quality. I connect a USB DAC to a tubed amp without volume control, and have to use itunes' volume control. Will this digital volume control compromise the sound quality? Is there a better alternative to having an analogue volume control other than a passive linestage or TVC which requires interconnect in the signal path?

I recommend using Endler Stepped Attenuators mounted directly on the amp input jacks, and just use the itunes volume control for fine-tuning of volume.

[boead]

I connect a USB DAC to a tubed amp without volume control, and have to use itunes' volume control. Will this digital volume control compromise the sound quality?

Its recommended to leave your software volume at maximum and use a attenuator.

With or without a preamp? That’s an old debate.

I personally like the sound of a good preamp. I feel it ads weight, impact and authority to my systems.

[JLM]

I'm a KISS guy, but somethings more is better.

The volume control on a CDP, like the digital control in the Sqeeze Box might work very well, but normally not (dynamics are clipped). 

Another concern is the output impedance of your CDP versus the recommended input impedance of your amp.  Typically you'll be OK if the output impedance of your CDP is below say 300 ohms.  The vast majority of CDPs have high output impedances.  A mismatch results in loss of detail, "blackness" of background, bass, micro-dynamics, macro-dynamics, and high frequencies.

Crappy cheap volume controls and impedance mismatchs are why there is so much interest in buffers, high quality volume pots, transformer based passive pre-amps, and conventional pre-amps.

[boead]

Lots more then this to be found but its a good start.

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t41985.html

[mjosef]

.....With or without a preamp? That’s an old debate.

I personally like the sound of a good preamp. I feel it ads weight, impact and authority to my systems.

I agree with this statement too... an active preamp adds more muscle and dynamic "snap" to my system. A passive pre brings a different sound, more subdued, with the details softer and spaced further back in the mix...at least in my setup. Mr. Salvatore recommendations might be system dependant.

[Rocket]

Hi,

I personally like the sound of a good preamp. I feel it ads weight, impact and authority to my systems.

Everytime I take the preamp out of my system I don't like the sound i obtain from it.  I have read that a preamp isn't necessary whn you use a modded sb3.

Regards

Rod