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How to setup volume chain? PC>DAC>Active monitors

AudioNut77

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Hi guys, I'm very pleased after reading Amir's review that my schiit modi 3 measures very well. However, a lot of the information can be too technical for me. What's the best way to setup my volume so it sounds the best? I run tidal via optical to my Modi, then RCA out to my jbl 305p (active monitors). Since modi lacks a volume control I use Windows volume to control how loud I'd like it. Is this incorrect? Should I be maxed out at 100% on windows?

Settings: windows 24bit/192khz output
 

RayDunzl

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Although you could measure a difference, unless the setting in Windows is extremely low, I'd think you're unlikely to hear a difference.

My 308s are maxed, and I use whatever digital attenuation is available along the way, be it windows, miniDSP, the DAC, the DEQ2496, or typically, at the analog preamp, since it is most convenient (works with the TV remote), not because it sounds better..

I wouldn't worry about it if you can't hear a trouble.

Here's a visual of reducing a music signal digitally by a factor of 1/1000th

Hint: that's a lot...

1559345541940.png
 

gvl

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Hi guys, I'm very pleased after reading Amir's review that my schiit modi 3 measures very well. However, a lot of the information can be too technical for me. What's the best way to setup my volume so it sounds the best? I run tidal via optical to my Modi, then RCA out to my jbl 305p (active monitors). Since modi lacks a volume control I use Windows volume to control how loud I'd like it. Is this incorrect? Should I be maxed out at 100% on windows?

Settings: windows 24bit/192khz output

Anyone knows if Modi 3 has digital volume control? If so, connect it over usb to your PC and follow the steps in this article to enable WASAPI Exclusive mode (ignore the JRiver part) and make sure "Force Volume" is checked - you will use the volume in Tidal that will control the volume on the Modi 3 itself which should be the ideal scenario, if Modi 3 implements it properly that is.

Important: lower the volume on your monitors before you try it, if Modi doesn't have internal digital volume control you will get full scale signal sent to your speakers. If you determine it works - moving the volume slider in Tidal app changes the volume you can crank up the knob on the monitors so you get a usable volume range.

https://inspiringheadphones.com/are-you-getting-the-best-out-of-tidal-hifi/
 
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Daverz

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I think the "Schiit way" is to add a Sys.
 
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AudioNut77

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Although you could measure a difference, unless the setting in Windows is extremely low, I'd think you're unlikely to hear a difference.

My 308s are maxed, and I use whatever digital attenuation is available along the way, be it windows, miniDSP, the DAC, the DEQ2496, or typically, at the analog preamp, since it is most convenient (works with the TV remote), not because it sounds better..

I wouldn't worry about it if you can't hear a trouble.

Here's a visual of reducing a music signal digitally by a factor of 1/1000th

Hint: that's a lot...

View attachment 27056
I typically have windows volume anywhere from 30-50. Is that high enough? Also, don't you get insane hissing from having your 308's maxed?? I figure the gain noise would be too much. Ideally, I think would be to have windows at 100% and adjust volume from JBLs but that's too inconvenient...

Side note: is 24bit/192khz fine? Or should I lower to 24bit/44.1khz since I think Tidal streams at 16bit/44.1khz
 
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AudioNut77

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Anyone knows if Modi 3 has digital volume control? If so, connect it over usb to your PC and follow the steps in this article to enable WASAPI Exclusive mode (ignore the JRiver part) and make sure "Force Volume" is checked - you will use the volume in Tidal that will control the volume on the Modi 3 itself which should be the ideal scenario, if Modi 3 implements it properly that is.

Important: lower the volume on your monitors before you try it, if Modi doesn't have internal digital volume control you will get full scale signal sent to your speakers. If you determine it works - moving the volume slider in Tidal app changes the volume you can crank up the knob on the monitors so you get a usable volume range.

https://inspiringheadphones.com/are-you-getting-the-best-out-of-tidal-hifi/
I thought about doing this, but wouldn't that make windows sound absolutely blaring my ear drums out? Or, either I wouldn't be able to hear any windows sounds at all... which is not preferred
 
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AudioNut77

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I think the "Schiit way" is to add a Sys.
I want to, but at the same time I'm trying not to alter the sound in any way... I feel like I could hear a difference. I have the Magni 3 and was using the preouts on it and the volume knob but I felt it actually sounded way worse than just the Modi by itself.
 

gvl

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I thought about doing this, but wouldn't that make windows sound absolutely blaring my ear drums out? Or, either I wouldn't be able to hear any windows sounds at all... which is not preferred

It's the latter. If it's a laptop you could set the default sound device to be the built-in sound card and get widows sounds through laptop speakers. But if you're after the best quality for Tidal WASAPI exclusive /forced volume is the way. You can try it and compare with what you're doing now, if you don't hear any differences then there's no real reason to change anything.
 

RayDunzl

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I typically have windows volume anywhere from 30-50. Is that high enough?

It's too bad they chose to use %.

It can be converted in the "Sounds" dialogs - right click the Levels slider to get % or dB.

On my Win10 machine, for a USB output to a Topping D10:

100% = -0 dB
70% = -5.4dB
50% = -10.5 dB
30% = -18.3 dB
20% = -24.4 dB
0% = -127db
 

JohnYang1997

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First, set everything except the monitor to maximum.
Second, set monitor to the maximum level that you will be listening.
Third, if you use analog preamp/attenuator, use analog preamp to control volume. If not, use Windows or anything else to control the volume.
 

Blumlein 88

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It's too bad they chose to use %.

It can be converted in the "Sounds" dialogs - right click the Levels slider to get % or dB.

On my Win10 machine, for a USB output to a Topping D10:

100% = -0 dB
70% = -5.4dB
50% = -10.5 dB
30% = -18.3 dB
20% = -24.4 dB
0% = -127db
I've never looked at this in detail. So I assumed 50% was fifty percent voltage or -6 db. Looks like they are calling it based upon the idea 10 db sounds twice as loud. Looks like 25% would be near -20 db. So it is a pscyhoacoustical percentage. Who knew?
 

BillG

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I set Windows and the media player's output to 100% now and control volume from my integrated amp's remote control or volume knob. Prior to that, I'd just use whatever was most convenient and I never noticed a degradation in sound quality... :cool:
 
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AudioNut77

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It's too bad they chose to use %.

It can be converted in the "Sounds" dialogs - right click the Levels slider to get % or dB.

On my Win10 machine, for a USB output to a Topping D10:

100% = -0 dB
70% = -5.4dB
50% = -10.5 dB
30% = -18.3 dB
20% = -24.4 dB
0% = -127db
So I can go far below 20% without seeing any quality loss? I think -60db is around between 2% for me
 
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RayDunzl

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So I can go far below 20% without seeing any quality loss?

I can't perceive what you perceive - don't have your setup or your ears here.

Adjusting the 308 volume knob last night, about 7 clicks off max = -6db, 10 clicks -10dB (not precise on my part)... If that reduces the hiss driving you insane, do it.

So, if your max Windows volume has been 50%, -10dBfs, set the volume knob on the speakers to 5 1/2 (about -10dB SPL) and turn Windows to 100% (or whatever is appropriate).

Play around with it and see what you like best...

If still concerned about quality, get some measurement tools and really drive yourself insane.
 
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