TOPIC:

Hi,
I have just ordered an SHD Studio and was wondering how to connect it to the DAC and intergrated amp I have. If I want to use the amp as an integrated amp, that is, with its preamplifier, shall I set the volume level at 0dB on the SHD?

I can also use the amp as a power amp (it has this option), but since my DAC does not have a volume control (it's a Pioneer N50a), would I use the volume control on the SHD? That is, will the signal sent to the DAC from the SHD be attenuated at the SHD before the DAC or will the volume control on the SHD have no effect on the volume then? Is one of the two scenarios (integrated vs. power amp) preferable? I'm sorry if this has been discussed already, but I haven't been able to find any information on this in the manual or on the forum. I would appreciate any advice anyone might have on this--thank you!

Maciej

@Maciej

Welcome to the SHD gang!
Yes, you can indeed set the SHD at 0dB. I would control the volume inside the SHD if I were you, it will indeed attenuate the sound in the DAC. A single place where you can control volume, preset, source.. It's got all the resolution you need.

DevTeam

Can the volume control be bypassed? I would like to just use the SHD as room processor

Chain: Roon ROCK server -> SHD -> DAC -> integrated amp

Martin-Andersen wrote:

Can the volume control be bypassed?

Setting a digital volume control to 0 dB means it does nothing, so essentially yes.

I'm using the SHD Studio with an integrated amp. I have set the SHD volume to - 1dB. That works well when you are careful not to boost the signal. I made the target curve follow the deep valleys. Never boosting more than 1dB.

Before I knew this I had distortions at exactly the frequencies that Dirac was set to boost.

The recommended solution is to set the SHD Studio volume to - 10dB. That way Dirac can boost up to 10dB.

-10db that’s a lot ! And the boost will always be in the bass where there are a lot of energy.

Does that mean that I will loose 10db? And need to crank up the volume on my tube amp?

Martin-Andersen wrote:

-10db that’s a lot ! And the boost will always be in the bass where there are a lot of energy.

Does that mean that I will loose 10db? And need to crank up the volume on my tube amp?

That's exactly why I set my SHD Studio on - 1dB and make the target curve follow the deep valleys.