Digital volume and high pass filters
Am I the only one who’s surprised there aren’t more preamps available with bass management, specifically a high pass filter along with a sub output? I currently use a WiiM Ultra and have really come to appreciate the high pass filter option, especially with Magnepans. By bypassing the lowest octave or so and sending that portion to an active subwoofer, I free my Maggies to do what they do best. Spoiler alert that’s not making chest thumping bass.
But it seems that the only way to do this today is to use the WiiM as both a streamer and a preamp/volume control. While I love the ultra for so many reasons, it’s one Achilles heel is the digital volume control. While in theory altering the digital signal to control the volume should not affect the sound quality, according to my ears it definitely does. There is a noticeable increase in noise and a digitization of the sound when playing at very low volumes.
Perhaps I have a setting askew with the Ultra. I’m using the Ultra to control the volume, outputting 16/44 into a PS Audio DAC via USB, which then feeds my amp via XLR interconnects. While I admit I may be doing something wrong, it doesn’t seem like this should be this difficult.
More surprisingly I haven’t really found a modern day preamp with a high pass filter and an analog volume control. The only offering I’ve come across is the now discontinued line of preamps from Parasound - the P5 and P6 which are now over a decade old and have mixed reviews.
Am I missing something here? Is there an obvious solution I’m not thinking of? In an ideal world I’d like a preamp with:
An adjustable high pass filter and a corresponding sub out
Analog volume control
Balanced input and output (RCA out is fine for the sub)
While I’m fantasizing maybe throw some tubes in there for shits and giggles.
Thoughts?