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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> RME-DAC with vol control feeding CSP3 Preamp?
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Message started by ProfRob on 09/07/26 at 21:55:15

Title: RME-DAC with vol control feeding CSP3 Preamp?
Post by ProfRob on 09/07/26 at 21:55:15

Any thoughts on if this might work ok? I have a RME-ADI-2 DAC and it acts as a pre as well as a DAC. Has volume control. Would it be OK to feed one of the Decware preamps with? I am looking at the CSP3. I am still new at this. Any thoughts, greatly appreciated. Thanks. Rob

Title: Re: RME-DAC with vol control feeding CSP3 Preamp?
Post by Lon on 09/07/26 at 22:45:24

Well you could certainly use it with a CSP3 with the volume "maxed out." And depending on the type of volume/gain adjustment in the DAC you may be able to use it with lowered volume/gain, and "ride the gain." If it is an analog volume control in the DAC that should be no issue. Some digtial volume/gain controls in a DAC diminish sound quality/digital resolution as they gain is decreased, some designs do not. if it is a design that does not reduce resolution with gain/or volume deduction it would work nicely to "ride the gain" with the CSP3.

Title: Re: RME-DAC with vol control feeding CSP3 Preamp?
Post by JHC on 09/07/26 at 23:28:54

I believe some of the RME DAC/Preamps allow you to disable the preamp functions and run it as a DAC only. Check the output settings and connection types. But even with the preamp engaged, it should work. You might also see how it sounds as your preamp without the CSP3.

Title: Re: RME-DAC with vol control feeding CSP3 Preamp?
Post by Donnie on 09/08/26 at 01:08:24

All I will say is that having a remote volume is a real good thing.

Title: Re: RME-DAC with vol control feeding CSP3 Preamp?
Post by ProfRob on 09/08/26 at 03:06:03

Gents!!!

Lon, I am embarrassed to say I had to look up "ride the gain," but to my surprise and got a understandable answer from ChatGPT! Makes total sense. I'll have to investigate deeper into how RME operates.

JHC, all the more reason to look into the capabilities of my DAC/pre. If I could disable the pre and just use the DAC, I'd be home free with no risk of much issue.

Donnie, the older I get, the more true it is!

Thank you all! Super helpful. Full disclosure, I've been "on the list for three years, and my time will be here before I know it. I have been struggling with whether to keep my original choice and go with a new tube amp; or otherwise, change directions and go with a tube pre-amp and use the Sugden I have as primary. Sure appreciate you all! Rob (in Kentucky). I got my think'n to do!

Title: Re: RME-DAC with vol control feeding CSP3 Preamp?
Post by Lon on 09/08/26 at 10:43:25

Well here is another toss of two cents from me: I was a huge fan of CSP3 preamps until I got the SEWE300B. As my DAC can adjust gain without any loss of resolution I run it without a preamp and believe it sounds better that way--Steve in corporated a ZROCK3 inspired (I believe, or informed) preamp section into the SEWE300B and I also have a ZBIT and I can ride the gain among the DAC, amp and ZBIT and get fantastic sound. (I get fantastic sound also running my phono preamp which does not have remote volume control but I don't mind).

So here's a wrinkle: consider the SEWE300B if you can afford it. This amp is my stereo heirloom piece. A fantastic amp.