Accuphase amplifier choice

@jfrmusic 

You had posed this question sometimes back or on another forum - that is the gain that Accuphase owners use in their system. Per my preliminary experience, I find that setting the gain to -12db on the amplifiers provides me a well balanced sound. This is based on the face that I can now set my DAC as a LINE source instead of using it as a VARIABLE volume control. This way I get the desired levels with the volume on the preamp between 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock position. I reach between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions for SACDs or HDCDs. I believe the DR on these must be high? But on CDs and Spotify, I am good by 11:30 position.

What did you end up with?

Eventually I found that a Accuphase Class A integrated with just 30Watts, could drive a ProAc K10. And then I came upon the A-48S driving a big Magico. That cemented my decision that all these guys cannot be wrong.

So, yes we do own quite some pieces of gear that are similar. But I see that you already have 2 Coda Class A amplifiers. 

Yes, but I am currently more excited with my 2a3 amp. It brings a smile to my face when my walls are shaking from 2 watts, like a squad of F-16’s just flew over my roof. There are watts, and then there are watts. After knowing what my 4wpc amp can do 30 watts sounds huge!

As far as the "variable" out on the DAC is concerned, I would like to stay between 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock position on the volume control on the Rhumba. I have yet to play with the Accuphase gains, before I settle down permanently.

Andy has assured me the position of the volume of the Backert pre amps has zero affect on the quality of the signal, in his experience. I have not experimented myself, but would be easy to confirm. Is this something you have observed, or just going off of historical potentiometer-bearing pre amp religion? 

Congratulations on the Accuphase.  That 4-position gain switch is a really neat feature.  More source components and/or more amps should feature it.  With relatively low-gain amps (23dB) I mainly run the Rhumba at 10.30 for CDs and 11 for SACD.

“I am currently more excited with my 2a3 amp”
@mclinnguy 

You have a dream setup with Eufrodite and DAA3. 

Hearing Horning’s Aristotle with a 300B amp @gestalt was nothing short of jaw-dropping. The soundstage was deep, wide, and effortless….carrying a sense of scale you’d normally associate with big-watt solid-state power and REL line array. Yet what truly stood out was how it delivered deep, tightly controlled bass without ever stealing focus from the purity of the midrange or the air and ease of the highs. 

Thank You @twoleftears .

It was nice talking to you the other day. Helped me solidify my decision.

I am glad that you are able to achieve the gain that you were looking for. I am sure those monoblocks make your music sound amazing!