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The truth about Apple/iTunes volume control?

Hi - I've always understood it's best to use the maximum volume setting on your computer when playing back music, controlling the volume with the amplifier. That has always worked for my ears, but now I have a new source (a USB DAC) that appears to be getting overloaded by the maximum signal from my Macbook Pro running iTunes.

I'm wondering if it would be possible at this stage of Apple and iTunes' development to lower the volume without losing bits. There seem to be recent reports saying yes, and one forum member said worries about lossy digital volume control were a "myth," although others disagreed. Today, I was told that it's OK to lower the volume on the computer to its "native level," a setting in the middle, or close to it, that is the default level when you first turn it on. I've got a Macbook Pro that has an overall volume control I'm wondering about, in addition to the iTunes. Unfortunately, it seems to be remembering my previous settings, such that I don't know what this native level is.

So, does anybody have any definitive answers on this?
coverto
peter_s
1,088 posts
 
I'm also thinking it's not your USB signal, but instead either a problem with your DAC or your DAC=>preamp compatibility.
lokie's avatar
lokie
511 posts
 
I think Jax2 and Peter have it right.

The compatibility between dac and pre are suspect. You're not going to get much help unless you tell us what your components are.

Turning the volume down on Itunes is a work around that will work but is not optimum.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
The newer versions of iTunes have effectively eliminated the volume control problem as long as you only use it a little bit.

As far as the overloading USB D/A, the only one that I know of that suffers from this problem is the -- hold on a minute, I heard what sounds like breaking glass coming from downstairs. That's odd, a well known audiophile manufacturer is standing in my living room.

"What do you want?" "Why are you here?" "No, no, don't, wait, pluleeeeze, arrrrggggh!"
robr45's avatar
robr45
317 posts
 
Newer releases of itunes have a 24bit dithered volume control that is fsr better than anything available a few years ago. However- halfway seems kind of low and while the concern about keeping it there is probably theoretical it is still something I would do with caution.

I agree that your real issue lies elsewhere.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
From their previous posts to the A'gon forum I would guess the OP might be asking about the Blue Circle Thingee, but that is purely speculation. Oddly enough it employs the TI PCM2706 DAC - I've just recently read a comment on a different product using the same DAC chip in its line-output that mentions some distortion when using the Apple volume control at the highest setting. The other product is an iBasso D4 Mamba portable headphone amp. here's the thread that mentions it. I have not looked through the 50+ pages of input there to find out what it's about, but if the OP is indeed talking about the Blue Circle product you may want to invest time into checking that thread. It could have something to do with that specific DAC chip. If I'm wrong about the product, then all bets are off.
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