Help please! Something amiss with my digital chain

DACs have digital volume controls that use bit stripping to attenuate the sound level. As a result, sound quality deteriorates at low volumes, losing dynamics and clarity. Some digital VCs use 32-bit processing, somewhat mitigating the issue.

If digital volume controls are present in the chain, whether hardware or software, they should be turned all the way up (so they pass the signal through without performing any attenuation), and volume should be controlled via the pre’s (hopefully) high-quality analog attenuator.

@12many this might explain why you found your DAC sounding best at the highest volume setting, which probably bypasses the attenuation circuit altogether.

Volume attenuation is an art and a science. There are VC nerds out there, many of whom hold strong opinions :)

@ale1601  At the risk of belaboring the point I can’t recommend enough adding a pre to your system. Pre / amp matching should be carefully considered, but once you get the right pre in your system I think you’ll be pleased with the results.

@12many +1 On the XLR but only if the Decware ZMA was originally spec’d with them as they were an option.  It would be an inexpensive option to see if that solves the issue and then go the preamp route if needed. Had the opposite problem with a preamp so I went DAC direct to amp(SE84UFO2.1) using XLRs.  Analog setup is phono pre—>Amp via SE. Sounds good to my ears. Speakers are over 100db efficient though.  

+1 @jl35 

It is much easier and lower cost to get high quality Sonics from analog than from digital.  When one has both, many struggle to lift their digital Sonics to be “subjectively” as enjoyable as their analog chain.

I struggled looking for a DAC within my budget that can be as sonically satisfying as my transparent analog chain.  Glad I found a great sonic deal.

Yes to preamp.  No comment on dedicated lines, but a cheaper quicker fix would be the Decware ZLC which works great and provides 6 outlets.  Not current limiting.  I've gone through a cadre of Furmans, Decware works.  Period.

Good info from others.

Digital is all about managing the noise which is something you don't really hear until it is gone.  Its what makes digital thin and harsh and edgy.  When its managed the sound will swell with richness and texture and detail in a black background as you increase the volume.

Upgrading gear will give incremental improvements but is really a band aid on the underlying problem.

@steakster adeptly listed areas to address before gear changes. 

I will suggest also adding at least one purpose built network switch (my experience is 2 are better) and would suggest an EtherRegen if you are only using one and dedicate it for your streamer as it uses an optical break to remove noise from reaching your streamer. 

I will also suggest a product like the Akiko Corelli  and or one of the CAD grounding products (I have 3 Corelli's and 2 CAD units.  Its tempting to believe they are hocus pocus because who wants to spend that much on something that your not sure isn't snake oil.

Really look into a dedicated AC line for your analog and one for your digital.  It is surprisingly affordable in most cases depending on the drywall repair needed.  I cant understate the effect on digital this has.

And never have a SMPS or LED lights on the same line as any digital equipment. A dedicated line will remedy this. 

A filter on your network cable into the streamer will help.  Look at Network Acoustics or SOtM.  

Try to avoid USB, use Coax, BNC or AES or Ethernet with a good cable. There are many DDC/reclockers that can be used to convert the USB if you lack the outputs from your streamer.