Phil Leigh;148723 Wrote: > So until the volume control gets to the point where it starts to affect > the 16 bits, nothing will happen. >
Let's illustrate this graphically, because it can be confusing. Imagine this is the 16-bit signal: (LSB)1000 0100 0010 0001(MSB) MSB=most significant bit LSB=least significant bit Now, if we pad that 16-bit signal with 8 bits from the LSB side, we get: (LSB)0000 0000 1000 0100 0010 0001(MSB) O.k., now let's attenuate the signal by a factor of two (just for the sake of simplicity): (LSB)0000 0001 0000 1000 0100 0010(MSB) Just for good measure, let's do it again (factor of two attenuation): (LSB)0000 0010 0001 0000 1000 0100(MSB) So far, so good. Now, what will happen to that "1" on the left (LSB) side of the signal if we keep attenuating like this a few more times (well, 7X to be exact)? Right, information from the original 16-bit signal will be lost. However, that is theoretical. What is more of a problem in the real world is how many times we can reduce the volume until that bit is lost in the noise floor of the DAC. Are there truly 8 bits to play around with? The answer should be obvious. -- ezkcdude DIY projects page: http://www.ezdiyaudio.com System: SB3->EZDAC->MIT Terminator 2 interconnects->Endler Audio 24-step Attenuators (RCA-direct)->Parasound Halo A23 125W/ch amplifier->Speltz anti-cables->DIY 2-ways + Dayton Titanic 10" subwoofer He's not hi-fi, he's my stereo. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ezkcdude's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2545 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=27832 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
