opaqueice Wrote: 
> I have a question about the effect on audio quality of the squeezebox 3
> digital volume control.  
> ...
> 
> Any suggestions?

If you forgo the DAC, you can run the analog outs from the SB direct
into the amp. That is a great way to go as well as being the cheapest
way.  You make use of the preamp volume level feature of the SB3, which
you can fine tune to your desired listening max volume.

If you must use a DAC, then you give up that preamp volume control. 
The digital volume control doesn't work the same way, and it is not as
nice because of the noise floor of the DAC. 

Because you have to turn down the SB3's digital volume very low to
bring the sound to reasonable listening levels, any noise in the DAC
whatsoever becomes very loud in comparison.  In effect you are at the
mercy of the noise floor (blackness) of the DAC, and with my DAC direct
into my (500wpc) amp the hiss was audible.

If you have a DAC with an output attenuator you might be able to  avoid
this problem by lowering the DAC's output and raising the SB3's digital
volume. Or as suggested above install some external attenuators after
the DAC so that you don't have to run the digital volume control so
low.  Alternately, if you have the world's quietest DAC you might not
have an issue.

-Dan


-- 
dwc
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