Question on Qutest Output Level

[Don72]

I just purchased this recently and am running it as follows:

iMac to Chord Quest via USB-A to USB-B; Chord via RCA to XLR to Genelec 8030C monitors. I also bought the Small Green Computer Power Supply for it.

It's set to 1v on the Chord since I never touched the factory default and +6 on the Genelecs since this is the lowest setting.

It's still a bit loud and funnily enough none of the usual volume software controls (Mac, Qobuz, etc) don't affect the Volume of the Chord but they work fine with everything else!!!

Perhaps someone has run into the same situation? Is there a solution? I'm running the Genelecs for both music listening and in my home recording setup utilizing Logic Pro.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @Don72! Welcome to ASR.

If your DAC does not support UAC2 Hardware volume control, then the default systemwide volume control in macOS will be locked to 100%, with no way to adjust.

You can double-check by going into the MIDI Control Panel.

If you select the Qutest and there's no volume slider/the slider is greyed out, then that confirms there's no UAC2 volume support.

On Windows that's not an issue since the systemwide volume control will just switch to regular software volume if there's no hardware volume support, but for whatever reason Apple decided it'd be UAC2 or nothing.

IIRC, there is a workaround using Soundflower and blackhole, but you'd have to look into it yourself.

That being said, the volume sliders built into YouTube, Spotify etc should continue working regardless.

If Soundflower doesn't work for you, and you want a reliable global volume control then you'd have to put a preamp between the Qutest and Genelec. Or switch to another DAC.

 

[Don72]

StaticV3,

Thanks for the response. Midi settings made no difference and were not blacked out (see atatched).

 

[staticV3]

StaticV3,

Thanks for the response. Midi settings made no difference and were not blacked out (see atatched).

Using the sliders has no effect on playback volume?

 

[voodooless]

You can try SoundSource. It will give you volume control, as well as EQ possiblies.

 

[Don72]

Moving the sliders made no difference at all ..

 

[Don72]

Re: Soundsource, since it's software, I assume there's no impact n the audio signal apart from vol and eq if desired?

 

[staticV3]

Moving the sliders made no difference at all ..

Weird.

 

[Don72]

Would this be a solution?

Axiom II Passive Preamp RCA

The AXIOM II passive preamplifier is in a class by itself. This is a fixed series/variable shunt device. In layman's terms this means the audio signal does not actually flow through the volume control. The signal flows through one high quality resistor and the amplifier's inputs are shunted to...

luminousaudio.com

 

[staticV3]

Would this be a solution?

Axiom II Passive Preamp RCA

The AXIOM II passive preamplifier is in a class by itself. This is a fixed series/variable shunt device. In layman's terms this means the audio signal does not actually flow through the volume control. The signal flows through one high quality resistor and the amplifier's inputs are shunted to...

luminousaudio.com

Yes, though way overpriced.

Personally I'd buy either a <$50 passive attenuator, or a Topping L30II.

Though if you don't mind spending $200+, for $50 more than the Axiom you can buy the Toppings L70 which has a resistor ladder volume control, remote control, volume display, and it'll convert the Qutest RCA Line out to balanced XLR.

 

[Don72]

What about this one?

Amazon.com

 

[staticV3]

What about this one?

Amazon.com

Should do the job