Pro / Ultra to ZA3 Very Loud - Advice?

[holsen]

I've got a ZA3 in stereo mode (2nd unit arriving tomorrow to make mono) and man is its output loud.
My chain looks like this:
WiiM Ultra > DAC via USB > ZA3 via XLR controlled by Roon
I've got the AMP volume at 100% and control the volume via WiiM Ultra (Roon). Even at volume level 1 out of 100, man are my speakers loud; above "quiet or low listening levels" There's so much power that I'm questioning whether I want to run monoblocks and increase it. Moving the volume from 1 to 10 makes very little difference in the increase in sound output. Beyond 10, it's begins scaling with each increment.

Anyway, I know I can turn down the volume on the ZA3 to 50% or 75% to attenuate but would that restrict the final sound quality as i increase the output through the streamer? Do I need and want to have full power to get maximum benefit of the Amp as I control it externally?

I'd love input and feedback.
Thanks.

 

[Mr Ee]

If a v. quick internet search is true then both the rca and xlr inputs on the za3 have quite low sensitivity values of 0.774v
I'd imagine your dac's xlr output is much higher, often 4 or more for xlr.
What dac?

I'd probably turn the za3 down, but as ever try different variations and see what you like or is most convenient / usable.
For example, does the dac have variable output?

 

[holsen]

Thanks for the thoughts. The DAC is a Topping D30 Pro putting 4 Volts the XLR outputs. I've got it in DAC mode, but you got me thinking that I could put it in Preamp mode and try setting an output level there like 90 of 100, keeping the amp at 100 and still controlling via WiiM.

I'll try that and circle back with results.

 

[mehturt]

I was also investigating in this area and came across these attenuators with good measurement, did not try it myself

Audio-Technica AT8202 Adjustable In-Line Attenuator Measurements and Review

Audio-Technica AT8202 Adjustable In-Line Attenuator Measurements and Review The AT8202 is an analog attenuator that provides up to adjustable attenuation for XLR devices in 10 dB increments (-10, -20 and -30 dB). It is made in Taiwan. These are primarily used to attenuate microphones, but if...

www.audiosciencereview.com