Forums - Steve's recent Youtube video

Palomino

Seasoned Member

Posts: 2509

Steve's recent Youtube video
06/05/25 at 20:41:52

I haven't tuned into the Decware scene lately. Listening a lot but not participating in the forum.

Anyway, I have always known about riding the gain by adjusting amp and preamp volumes, but always felt that full volume on the amp and then regulating volume on the "pre" (In this case my computer/dac combo) was the best sound.

But Steve's explanation in his gain structure video clicked and I backed off the volume on the amp and made adjustments to the "pre" and Zbit. More dynamics at lower volume and I don't need to listen as loud to get the full soundstage.

Worth a view if you are not familiar with the topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXgGo5h-x-8

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Mac Mini with LPSU/SSD running Audirvana Studio, Uptone Audio Regen on LPSU, Mytek Brooklyn DAC+, Ven Haus DIY Silver ICs, 25th Ann. Zen, PS Audio P5 Power Supply, PS Audio/DIY Power Cords, GR Research Speaker Wire, Lii Audio P10 based OB speakers

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Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
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Posts: 25925

Re: Steve's recent Youtube video
Reply #1 - 06/05/25 at 21:20:40

Glad you tinkered and discovered that. I have been doing that for many years now. I love adjusting gain on sources, ZBIT, ZROCK3 and amp. . .I have my amp backed off about 20 percent . . . the sweet spot for my system.

This year the real innovation that has led to even better sound is the ability with the ZROCK3 to adjust the gain as well as the EQ. THAT has made a significant positive difference.

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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II, P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3; VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones: Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1

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nesappa Verified Member Posts: 5	Re: Steve's recent Youtube video Reply #2 - 06/05/25 at 21:25:22 Im thinking about a Cambridge DAC and the output is 2.1V. I wonder if this will have a similar gain effect like a preamp. The DAC has a volume knob for manual adjustement.
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Palomino

Seasoned Member

Posts: 2509

Re: Steve's recent Youtube video
Reply #3 - 06/05/25 at 21:39:08

Interesting Lon, 20% is about where I ended up. Still tinkering.

You know you hear things over and over again and then one day it clicks. I had been frustrated that my listening volume was edging higher and higher during listening sessions in order to get the dynamics, etc. Then last night I can't sleep and watch some Youtube and Steve pops up on my feed...

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Mac Mini with LPSU/SSD running Audirvana Studio, Uptone Audio Regen on LPSU, Mytek Brooklyn DAC+, Ven Haus DIY Silver ICs, 25th Ann. Zen, PS Audio P5 Power Supply, PS Audio/DIY Power Cords, GR Research Speaker Wire, Lii Audio P10 based OB speakers

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