XDA-1 as Pre-Amp

[wilogic]

I have XDA-1 DAC connected to Mini-X amp.. Planning to replace Mini-X to 2 XPA-100s.
Question is, will XDA-1's built-in volume control be sufficient to control music volume. In other words, does XDA-1's volume control sensitivity comparable to Mini-X's rotary knob (say from 7 o'clock position to 2 o'clock position). Thanks. 

  

[AudioHTIT]

Nov 10, 2014 14:49:55 GMT -5 wilogic said:

I have XDA-1 DAC connected to Mini-X amp.. Planning to replace Mini-X to 2 XPA-100s.
Question is, will XDA-1's built-in volume control be sufficient to control music volume. In other words, does XDA-1's volume control sensitivity comparable to Mini-X's rotary knob (say from 7 o'clock position to 2 o'clock position). Thanks. 

  

The main problem with the XDA-1 as a preamp is that it uses a digital volume control, it will truncate bits at lower volumes. They fixed this in the XDA-2, the DC-1 also makes a very good preamp. I'd consider either of these models if you want your DAC to be a preamp, another option (depending on your budget) would be adding a used USP-1 to the XDA-1.

[garbulky]

I reccomend the DC-1 over the XDA-1 and 2. I have used all three in my room. Ranked in this order: DC-1, XDA-1, XDA-2
What audiohtit said is true. The XDA-1 uses a digital volume control.
If you have a reasonably resolving setup (and room setup) then you may notice the digital volume control of the XDA-1. Most noticeable when it gets down to the 30's and below.

What I would do is basically set the mini-x volume to the maximum volume that you would listen at while the XDA-1 is at 80 max volume. Then use the XDA-1 volume control to control your volume. You'll notice now that you won't hace to make much large volume adjustments from its max 80 volume. As long as it's above 50 or 60, I doubt you'd not ice a massive difference.
At least that's what Lonnie the cheif designer mentioned.

[wilogic]

I'm okay running XDA-1 at above 50db level. My concern is, how loud will it be when paired with XPA 100s, will it have similar loudness as typical audio equipment when tuned to 50db level. I am assuming the decibels in XDA-1's volume control is pretty accurate and standardized to typical audio equipments/pre-amps?

[garbulky]

No, it's not accurate. It doesn't work that way. It will get as loud as the amp can go. The XPA-100's have a maximum voltage limit, and the XDA-1's can get at least somewhat close to it on peaks. On most pre-amps you won't be able to set it to -50db and actually get 50db at your listening position. That depends on your speaker efficiencies, listening distances etc.
It doesn't matter how big the amp is as long as the gain stage is the same then for the same level of signal, the amp will deliver the same voltage. For instance if the mini-x is 29db (I think it's actually 32 db but for sake of theory) and the XPA-100 is 29 db, then at the same volume say 40 on the XDA-1, you will get the exact same loudness using either amps. Where it will differ is when the mino-x runs out of power.

[AudioHTIT]

Nov 10, 2014 17:26:12 GMT -5 wilogic said:

I'm okay running XDA-1 at above 50db level. My concern is, how loud will it be when paired with XPA 100s, will it have similar loudness as typical audio equipment when tuned to 50db level. I am assuming the decibels in XDA-1's volume control is pretty accurate and standardized to typical audio equipments/pre-amps?

I'm not sure what you're asking here, some preamps start at 0 and go up, maybe to 80, maybe 100. Some start at -80 or -100 and go up to 0 (or a little more). Couple that with amps having different amounts of gain and it's hard to define 'typical'. But if we go back to your OP, then yes, the XDA-1's volume control will give you sufficient control over the volume, with plenty of increments between soft and loud. Garbulky and I disagree about the ranking of the XDA-1 and 2, but if your happy with the sound of the 1 then it should do what you're asking of it.