Is there Volume control using XLR Bypass

[misterdoggy]

I think I am going to buy the Goldmund Digin which is a DAC pure and simple, one input to 2 analog outputs. they Say this is top DAC stuff and compares with their Nemisis line in quality.

So I was thinking of having my Ayre D-1XE transport send the digital signal Rca to the Digin which takes RCA and then out to the 2 XLR inputs of the C1 in bypass (using xlr/rca adaptor). This way they go directly to the Amp.

The question is: Do I then have volume control using the bypass XLR inputs ??

This configuration is interesting because the Audio is pure and then the 5.1 get processed by the C1 and goes the other route to the Krell Amps.

Any Help would be appreciated !!

[Peter Nielsen]

Bruce,

Unfortunately the only digital output of the C1/C2 is the RCA and the Toslink.

What's more, the C1/C2 does NOT process this signal in ANY way. It is a straight-through signal, so you don't get volume control or anything.

And last but not least, the digital output of the C1/C2 only works if a digital source is used. (I.e. the digital output is mute if an analogue source is selected).

I'm 100% sure about this, because I researched this a few months ago. I would like to run digital straight into the DEQX, but with the C2 it is not possible. You need a pre-pro with DIGITAL outputs like Goldmund or Meridian G68. These are able to deliver a volume-processed digital output...

-----

Update: I re-read your post, and see that I misunderstood. YES, you can run analog XLR into the C1 and use it in bypass mode as an analog volume control. That WILL work.

Peter

[misterdoggy]

Yeah,

I found the same reference. If it comes in processed already as analogue and I use the XLR inputs (bypass) then select "bypass" I will have "pure" analogue audio with only volume control.

This unit is just a simple Converter and nothing else, but I'm told the quality of this DAC is superior to Parasound, Lexicon, Meridian etc.

Its not that expensive as I am picking it up in Geneva (20 minutes away) for 1100 Euros or $1350USD which is cheap by Top quality DAC standards. It retails for double in France, but I guess it comes from Switzerland so therefore cheaper ?

[kwojciec]

Analog Bypass and Dac

Hi

I guess I posted this on the transport thread you inititated. I have Dodson DA-217 MK II D Dac. I run my player through coaxial input. My satellite box has only one optical output so I run it to my C2 processor. Then I use C2 opttical output to connect it to DAC. Dodson has balanced outputs which I connected to C2 stereo balanced inputs and use bypass mode. There is no problem with volume control and I can directly compare Sirius music run by C2 DACs and played by Dodson. There is no comparison Dodson is just great. Not that C2 is bad but DA-217 is just $5000 piece devoted to a single duty. You can get one on Audiogon for around $1500. I recommend it to everybody. I use to listen a lot of jazz and classical mixed with some rock, but now it is mostly Rolling Stones channel (6099 on Dish)

best

Krzysztof

[Peter Nielsen]

There is no problem with volume control

Are you saying that you run Digital=>C2=>Digital and the C2 is controlling the volume????

According to the C2 manual, the C2 does not process the signal in the digital output?!

Peter

[kwojciec]

Yes I do run "Digital=>C2=>Digital", but then Dodson process the digital and I run this through balanced inputs of C2 and at this stage we do have volume control

best

Krzysztof

[kwojciec]

Sorry I should write:

I run this through balanced inputs of C2 in the analog bypassed mode and in this mode we do have volume control.

I am tired after long day

K

[misterdoggy]

So to do a resume of what you are doing.

The Satellite optical line goes into the C2 optical "in" as a source, then goes out using an "optical output" from the C2 to I guess an optical input on your Dodson where it gets "converted" a 2nd time and then comes back to the C2 in xlr bypass to the amp in analogue.

So you basically are "converting" your sound twice ? And it sounds better. Hmmmmm. I have to think about that one.

If your Dodson accepts optical, then why bother coming into the C2 at all. You can come in directly to your Dodson and they have volume control in bypass mode and skip the in and out to the C2 and "convert" only one time. Only the Dodson.?

Also if you want to "process" the optical signal to DPLII and then it goes out to the analog xlr bypass, you then lose all your surround effects ?

Ahhh, Now I understand. You have it come in to your C2 so you have the "choice" of DPLII for TV watching and go to the Dodson for Satellite Radio 2 channel.

[kwojciec]

Hi

"According to the C2 manual, the C2 does not process the signal in the digital output"
hence C2 serves as an optical input/output switcher only.

I use this analog bypass only if I want to listen to PCM stereo, but please believe me
two channel stereo run through Dodson sounds more nice than most of multichannel music. I made a lot of listening and whenever the quality of the recording is not good then 2-channel PMC run through Dodson DAC is much better. It is a little bit different with the good recording like DSM (Pink Floyd) or Brother in Arms (Dire Straits) multichannel SACD. I stiil prefer CD over 2-channel SACD version. It seemed though that multichannell SACD is like a different recording hardly comparable with 2-channel version. Of course there are tracks like "Money", where you really use 5 speakers in a very efficient and beautiful way. Anyway it is up to your taste and this is why we have so much fun with the sound and video

best

Krzysztof

[kwojciec]

"Ahhh, Now I understand. You have it come in to your C2 so you have the "choice" of DPLII for TV watching and go to the Dodson for Satellite Radio 2 channel."

Yes this is general idea

K

[misterdoggy]

I have an Ayre D-1xe dvd/cd player and will be getting a goldmund digin DAC.

The Ayre has 2 digital outputs, one for pcm and the other for DD/DTS etc. So I will send the PCM digital cable to the Goldmund for CD's, and go into the C1 XLR inputs to bypass processing.

Then the DD digital cable to the digital input of the C1 for processing films

[kwojciec]

Hi

" The Ayre has 2 digital outputs, one for pcm and the other for DD/DTS etc. So I will send the PCM digital cable to the Goldmund for CD's, and go into the C1 XLR inputs to bypass processing.
Then the DD digital cable to the digital input of the C1 for processing films"

That is absolutely the best way to use your wonderful transport. My scheme got a little bit complicated because I wanted to listen to satellite radio and satellite box had only one digital output, so this was the only reason that I had to use C2 digital output. Anyway have fun

best

Krzysztof