Please explain why using Roon's DSP volume doesn't maximize volume

[suttondesign]

I run Roon on a Mac through an RME ADI-2 Pro FS. Why can't I get very loud volume using Roon's DSP volume controller as compared to selecting "Device" volume? Especially for classical, even getting to "0" on Roon's DSP volume controller just isn't that loud.

 

[MouseOnMars]

If it's zero on roon then it's restricted by the RME. RME has several volume controllers depending on config. Good luck navigating the menus.

 

[KSTR]

Make sure "Lock Volume" is off on the RME. Switch on "Auto Ref Level", play a very soft track at the lowest volume level you want to run with ROON (say, -20dB), then adjust RME volume to the playback level you would expect. You now have those 20dB of headroom for that soft track, and with a loud track you probably get 30dB. That should be enough to shake the house.
However, the preferred solution would be to always use the RME for final volume control (because it does that so extremely well) and leave ROON at a high setting.

 

[NoobAmplifier]

I run Roon on a Mac through an RME ADI-2 Pro FS. Why can't I get very loud volume using Roon's DSP volume controller as compared to selecting "Device" volume? Especially for classical, even getting to "0" on Roon's DSP volume controller just isn't that loud.

I ran into the same confusion with a Violectric V226. When Roon is set to Device Volume, changing the volume writes that attenuation to the DAC itself. Switching to DSP Volume does not reset the DAC’s device volume; Roon simply adds its own DSP attenuation on top of whatever device-volume setting was left behind.

Try this safely:

1. Stop playback.
2. Select Device Volume and set it to 100.
3. Switch to DSP Volume and lower it to around -40 dB.
4. Resume playback and adjust upward as needed.

Now 0 dB in Roon DSP Volume represents unity gain from Roon, while the DAC’s device-volume control remains at 100.

This may be why DSP Volume previously seemed unusually quiet.