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CAL alpha DAC. UVC or EZ linestage?

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I have a CAL alpha DAC. The output impedance is 2Kohms, and the voltage is 2.0v rms. Is the passive Ultimate volume control a good match? Should I just go for the EZ linestage? All input sources will go through the DAC.

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RE: CAL alpha DAC. UVC or EZ linestage? - Thorsten 22:41:07 12/22/10 (4)
Hi,

This will work splendidly with the "buffered passive" option.

If you already have tube-amp's this may be the better choice. Otherwise if you want more "tube magic" (e.g. if you use typical Solid State Amp's) adding the Universal Tube Stage will be a good choice.

As the gain with UTS can be as low as 6dB there is not much of an issue regarding gain either way.

Ciao T
Sometimes I'd like to be the water
sometimes shallow, sometimes wild.
Born high in the mountains,
even the seas would be mine.

(Translated from the song "Aus der ferne" by City)
- RE: CAL alpha DAC. UVC or EZ linestage? - criv911@enter.net 06:07:20 12/23/10 (3)
  Since I've posted this question, I've started thinking about an ACV/TCV option. How do they compare to the Ultimate Volume Control? My plan is to use Marchand XM-44's with some form of passive/selector in one box. A linestage-crossover if you will. I'm tri-amping Magnepan 3.3r's. Amps currently are a Moscode 300 for the top, and an Acurus A-250 for the bottom. I plan on trying one of the ClassD audio amp kits. The claim is they have a "tube like' sound. If they work on the ribbon, then I'll go all the way. If not I'm fairly confident they will work for the bass panel. Any imput wil be appreciated.
  - RE: CAL alpha DAC. UVC or EZ linestage? - Thorsten 08:43:13 12/23/10 (2)
    Hi,
    
    All I can say is that all options should sound fine in your context. The UVC with J-Fet buffer is very transparent and neutral, as are the TVC/AVC options. The TVC/AVC's in my experience do well on retaining dynamics when listening rather quietly, but it will be swings and roundabouts.
    
    I do not think any one solution is dramatically better than the others (only true for the UVC BTW if the output is minimally loaded on the output).
    
    Ciao T
    Sometimes I'd like to be the water
    sometimes shallow, sometimes wild.
    Born high in the mountains,
    even the seas would be mine.
    
    (Translated from the song "Aus der ferne" by City)
    - RE: CAL alpha DAC. UVC or EZ linestage? - criv911@enter.net 10:33:57 12/23/10 (1)
      The input impedance on the crossovers is 100k [output 50]. I thought that building it all in one box would overcome the problems with output cables, [ie: none]. Inputs would be as short as possible, possibly I would try the Mapleshade, or Anticables. What do you mean by swings and roundabouts?
      - RE: CAL alpha DAC. UVC or EZ linestage? - Thorsten 19:59:49 12/23/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: CAL alpha DAC. UVC or EZ linestage? posted by criv911@enter.net on December 23, 2010 at 10:33:57
        
        Hi,
        
        Swings & Roundabout? It's english short for saying what you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts, meaning in this case that what one of the volume control solution gains in one area over others (swings) it looses in other areas (roundabouts), meaning there is little absolute performance difference and what is best in a given system will depend on context.
        
        For example, a TVC breaks groundloops but does not sound as good as the AVC (which cannot break groundloops) with higher source output impedances. The UVC offers a constant resistive 100K input meaning it cares least about what drives it, but it must use an active gainstage or buffer (including the optional on-board buffer) to sound good and then still gives up something in the dynamics department to TVC/AVC at low volume levels.
        
        So one needs to consider what matters most in ones own system.
        
        Or as one says in England, "swings & roundabouts"...
        
        Ciao T
        Sometimes I'd like to be the water
        sometimes shallow, sometimes wild.
        Born high in the mountains,
        even the seas would be mine.
        
        (Translated from the song "Aus der ferne" by City)

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