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How do you manage volume on Windows / Mac when using an external DAC ?

Bouly

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Oct 22, 2021
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I just purchased an external DAC (RME ADI-2 DAC FS). It is connected directly to some active speakers (Eris E8) via XLR cables.
The issue I have (whether on Mac or on Windows) is that the volume by default is extremely high.
For example when using Foobar ASIO in Windows, I have to set the DAC to -20 dB, and Foobar to -27 dB to have a normal listening volume.

It seems that when I set the DAC at 0 Db and reduce the volume even more in Foobar, the sound quality is better. Thoughts?

Also in Youtube I set the video volume in the Youtube interface to a minimum, then set the Dac to as close to 0 Db as possible, it seems like it sounds better.

Would volume be easier to manage if I had an amp and passive speakers instead ? Could I use passive speakers without an amp when current sound is 50 dB too loud ?

Is there any advantage whether on Windows or Mac, to purchase dedicated "audiophile" music player apps, from a standpoint of volume management and sound quality ? vs using free foobar with my own flac files
 

Madeintooting

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If you;re using the XLR outputs on the DAC there's switchable gain, choose which suits.
  • Output level switchable +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +7 dBu, +1 dBu @ 0 dBFS
 

ZolaIII

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Put DAC to -2 dB and you are done with it. Use Win or app volume control. There are wireless keyboard with pretty good (even physically) volume rackers if that suits you. I use phone to control volume of power amp in generally.
 
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Bouly

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If you;re using the XLR outputs on the DAC there's switchable gain, choose which suits.
  • Output level switchable +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +7 dBu, +1 dBu @ 0 dBFS
Are you talking about the ref level ? I put it to Auto Ref. So you are suggesting to set the volume in Windows / Foobar to maximum, and then reduce the volume of the DAC ? I dont see any gain switchable specific to XLR
 

DimitryZ

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I use a preamp with a digitally controlled precision resistor ladder - Emotiva XSP-1. Best purchase I have ever made.
 
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Bouly

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I just noticed at the back of the speakers a small knob with written on it "input gain", which was set on the center... I set Windows volume at 100% and foobar volume at 100% and the DAC at -9Db. Then I set the input gain knob on the speakers at minimum. Then I turn the speakers on, put a song on, and slowly turn the speaker input gain knob until I reach comfortable level. I had to set the DAC to mono output and try multiple times on both speakers until it was reasonably centered. Its still not perfect but much better than before.
 
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