Hi The volume settings are all done by Squeezecenter software telling the Duet or SB what to do.
If using the volume control at all there is an effect on the signal when reducing from 100%. If using a 16 bit signal source the 24 bit DAC in SB and Duet can handle some reduction in volume with no major effect. However signal to noise will be affecting as you are reducing max signal out whilst not reducing the noise floor of the system. If you reduce volume beyond a certain point then the digital signal - and any subsequent DAC either external or within the SB /Duet will be changed from the original (16 bit data doesn't fit fully into less than 16 bit digital range). For casual listening (if volume is not reduced too far) this can have a relatively limited effect. For best quality digital and analogue volume should be set to 100%, and volume changes done by the subsequent pre-amp or integrated amplifier. This maximises the signal quality (assuming no signal clipping in the analogue amplifier stages) for a given playback volume. You stated that you have some 24 bit rips, these will always be changed if you use digital out without volume fixed to 100%. Also note that the Duet cannot process 96kHz 24 bit files (it will crudely down sample, well I think it misses out alternate bits - not good). There has been a lot of discussion on volume issues in the forums (including many contributions from Sean, the founder of Slim Devices). If you want more data I suggest a search. Just as an example of my approach, in my dedicated HiFi setup I use an SB Classic feeding a Lavry DA10 DAC into my amplifier (SB volume fixed at 100%). In my dining room I have an SB feeding a 40 year old valve amplifier, and use SB analogue out and SB Volume (I have attenuators in the leads so 100% SB Volume is max listening level, this minimises distortion effects). Long post but I hope it clarifies things. Regards Dave -- DaveWr ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DaveWr's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9331 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=55791 _______________________________________________ discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
