Decided to have a go at a suggestion I found on Internet to improve DAC performance by adjusting output volume on the DAC by -3Db using Audirvana software audio management. This requires use of more gain via preamp which is always good in my book.
I am not sure how the theoretical improvements work by attenuating DAC output but I gave it a go. I also decided to use Audirvana without any upsampling and the results were positive.
System used:
MacBook Air with Audirvana 3.5 into Duok Audio reclocker via USB A then into the JustBoom DAC via Coaxial both powered separately from a Linear PSU and then into Croft Preamp.
Before reducing volume in software control to DAC I would say the sound was clean, dynamic and quite forward however after -3dB reduction and using more gain from preamp there was a greater sense of ease and effortless performance.
Removing upsampling increased the sense of ease and air in the recording and made them even more spacious. Basically you could turn up the wick without getting too much in your face as it were. There was also a sense that everything got bigger with huge soundstage and greater depth. Not sure if it was too much! Maybe there was less focus to the sound?
More listening required to ascertain if I prefer this route or not.
Anyone else tried using this -3Db trick?
