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Topping E50 DAC mode and MacBook Pro

Amused

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May 4, 2020
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Hi all,
I just got a new E50 and plugged it into my home office setup. It’s a pretty straightforward 4-component rig: a MacBook Pro, <DAC>, Genelec active monitors, and a JL Audio sub. I’ve been using variations of this setup for over a decade, and I thought I had everything figured out—apparently not.

I’m swapping out my E70 Velvet for this unit to try something new and reduce my desktop footprint as I reorganize my office. This is my fourth Topping DAC, so I thought I understood their products well enough, but something isn’t working as expected. I mirrored the E70V settings as closely as possible, set the E50 to DAC (m-d) mode, and connected everything. I made sure to turn down all volumes (OS and Qobuz) as a precaution before playing anything—but when I fired up that first song, it blasted at full volume and scared the hell out of me. So much for taking precautions!

Here’s the issue: I’ve always been able to control volume via my Mac when using DAC mode. For some reason, that’s not working with the E50. If I switch to Pre-Amp mode, I can control the volume using the remote, but that’s not my preferred method...it actually annoys the hell out of me :) I’ve successfully controlled volume from my Mac with the E70V, D70, D90, and other DACs in the past, so I’m stumped as to what’s different this time.

Does anyone have experience with a similar setup or know why I might not be able to control the volume via my Mac with the E50? I’d really appreciate any insights or suggestions.

Thanks!
 
Have you tried setting it to preamp mode, raise the volume on the DAC to max, and just change volume on the Mac as normal?
 
Have you tried setting it to preamp mode, raise the volume on the DAC to max, and just change volume on the Mac as normal?
I've tried that, but I can't get close to 0 dB on the DAC even at the lowest volume on the computer. It's just way too loud. The closest I was able to get was somewhere in the low 20 dB range on the DAC.
 
Not all DACs support hardware volume control via USB. My Topping D90 did while my Topping E30 didn't, for example. If the DAC doesn't support it, you have to set a suitable fixed volume on the DAC (e.g. -6dB) and use software volume control on the Mac. Or use the DAC's volume knob/buttons. Or use analog volume control on the amp (probably not practical with independent active speakers).

EDIT to add: a DAC in "DAC mode" as opposed to pre-amp mode may not support any volume change at all (don't remember and don't have a DAC to test with). So, software volume control is likely the way to go.
 
Lol, just yesterday we had someone switching from the E50 and being annoyed with the presence of UAC2 volume support, and now here's OP switching to the E50 and being annoyed with the lack of UAC2 support.


@Amused the above link should answer your question regarding volume control.

However, only the default macOS volume control is affected. 3rd party volume controls like inside YouTube or inside the E50 will still work.
 
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