USP-1 preamp/ DC-1 compatibility

[bking]

I'm a little fuzzy on how to connect a DAC to my current pre-amp, USP-1. Can I use the balanced connection to another amp (XPA-3 Gen 1) to pass signals from all inputs (phono, CD, etc.)? I'd use the optical connection for the CD player.

[stiehl11]

Unless your DAC has pre-amp capabilities, you would connect your DAC output to your USP-1 and from there to the rest of your system or direct to your amplifier. If your DAC has pre-amp capabilities, unless it has an analog input you would still connect it to you USP-1 but you would set the volume at full or the recommended level by the manufacturer.

[bking]

So if I want to use my turntable thru the DC-1 inputs, I would need a phono pre-amp for that to happen, correct?

[Gary Cook]

I'd use the phono pre amp in the USP-1 it's a good one.

In the DC-1 manual, from memory, it has a volume setting for connecting it to a pre amp. So just connect it to a pair of analogue RCA inputs on the USP-1. Set and forget the DC-1 volume control and use the USP-1 to control the total system output volume.

Tip, the USP-1 volume control is very touchy, it's OK for turntable input, but it may pay to set the DC-1 volume a little lower than recommended. What I would do is try the turn table volume, and then match it with the DC-1 volume. That way when you swap inputs they will be at similar volumes.


Cheers
Gary

[stiehl11]

^+1 Exactly! The only reason to have a DAC (or a DC-1) is for digital sources.

[LCSeminole]

Gary's correct, the DC-1 has a Fixed or Variable setting for its volume.

[stiehl11]

When quietly listening to my Sherbourn (virtually the same as the USP-1) I set the volume on it and used the volume on the XDA-2 to control how loud it was. Now that it's in where it's at and I don't have to listen to it (too) quietly, I only use its volume.