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Volume Control between DAC and Power AMP

I am too lazy to audition multiple amplifiers driving my heavy floor standing speakers around town.
That would not enlighten you anyway!

You need the amps on a short list to be in your own home and system for a week or so to assess their suitability. The amps I tried were either bought new (including Benchmark, Micromega) or were demo units from dealers (Lyngdorf, Mark Levinson, Bakoon, etc), or bought used but nearly new (GamuT, Accuphase, NAD, etc).

What surprised me was the fact that these amps sounded so different, despite doing the "simple" job of amplifying an existing analogue signal. Although this testing was a bit of a hassle, it turned out a very worthwhile exercise as it really did demonstrate how much variety in sound delivery there is in 10 solid state amps within a price range where all should sound good. They were of Class A, AB or D, but their class was never a consideration - just how much musical satisfaction they delivered. And all the unwanted ones bought were resold at little or no loss, so the eventual cost was no more than choosing a single amp based on opinions of others or reviews. I'll never do that again, much as I may respect their opinions, although these may well influence my short list.
 
I can change foobar output to use WASAPI, but I rather stay with Benchmark supplied ASIO drivers.

Just to be clear, the device doesn't perform any bit manipulation itself - it is merely an alternative to changing the volume with an attached keyboard (I guess it is mascarding as a keyboard) or did I missed something?
--Edit--
I checked the product spec and indeed it is registering itself as a keyboard and you can even configure which key sequence to send for each operation.
Assuming I leave foobar2000 in focus then all keystrokes will arrive to it so I can configure the gadget to send foobar key binding for vol up/down/mute and next/prev track easily.
Come to think about it, the same could be done with Microsoft surface dial...

I could imagine a bridge device acting as multifunction USB target and initiator- taking the USB audio stream, applying digital attenuation and sending the attenuated data downstream.
You could probably implement the whole thing in a small device embedded in the USB cable like some of the entry level DACs.
It should be powered by USB and can even have a BT receiver to allow controlling it with a remote knob like the surface-dial or something like nuimo (RIP)
I understand. At least what happens in JRiver is that you use the ASIO driver of your device in its settings to choose the audio output, and then use the wasapi on top to redirect everything in Windows through that. You may not need it, but I do as I use Roon but need the audio processing of JRiver.
 
After some more reading I reached the conclusion that I can add miniDSP Flex Digital between the computers and Benchmark DAC3 and it could be used to control volume (digital attenuation) with a physical knob, switch between digital sources and it has a nice display and a remote.
It costs $500 which is less that what will cost me to change the DAC3B to DAC3L and the Display looks much nicer!

Starting on the miniDSP path I opened a can of worms and now thinking about doing XO and maybe even room correction with the FLEX or even SHD...
 
I use a TC Electronic Pilot X to control volume for my PC audio (specs in sig). The Pilot X is compact, but very solid and well built. You can get them new for $60 - $70 from Sweetwater, Amazon, Reverb, among others. Used models can be found on Reverb or eBay for $30 - $50.

907470_PXL_20230911_213539698.png
 
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I use a TC Electronic Pilot X to control volume for my PC audio (specs in sig). The Pilot X is compact, but very solid and well built. You can get them new for $60 - $70 from Sweetwater, Amazon, Reverb, among others. Used models can be found on Reverb or eBay for $30 - $50.

View attachment 384564
Thanks!
It looks real nice, but I decided to add a miniDSP between the music-server and the DAC which will get me the digital attenuation with a physical knob, switch between digital sources and a path for adding subwoofer and doing XO
 
Thanks!
It looks real nice, but I decided to add a miniDSP between the music-server and the DAC which will get me the digital attenuation with a physical knob, switch between digital sources and a path for adding subwoofer and doing XO
Just got to ask... are you absolutely set on having the Benchmark DAC? From what measurements show, the Flex is functionally transparent sound wise...

Reread and saw it's the Flex digital... enjoy your choice! :)
 
After some more reading I reached the conclusion that I can add miniDSP Flex Digital between the computers and Benchmark DAC3 and it could be used to control volume (digital attenuation) with a physical knob, switch between digital sources and it has a nice display and a remote.
It costs $500 which is less that what will cost me to change the DAC3B to DAC3L and the Display looks much nicer!

Starting on the miniDSP path I opened a can of worms and now thinking about doing XO and maybe even room correction with the FLEX or even SHD...
I've tried for several years to incorporate DSP into a Benchmark stack (DAC3B/LA4/AHB2) without adding a second volume control (2.1 system). Many email conversations with Rory eventually led to the Studio/2 DAC 3Bs/LA4/AHB2 with one of the DACs dedicated to the sub (my only source is streaming). I still had two volume controls and it is silly IMO to spend so much $ when a Flex balanced + a well measuring amp of adequate power is likely state of the art and audibly indistinguishable. I like many of us admire the quality and integration of Benchmark components but until they come out with a DSP capable device that integrates into their system I think there are better (more sensible) choices. One of the problems with audiodisease is the tendency to get lost in the weeds and spend $$ on gear with no audible benefit.
PS- would love to hear how you like your new setup
 
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I've tried for several years to incorporate DSP into a Benchmark stack (DAC3B/LA4/AHB2) without adding a second volume control (2.1 system). Many email conversations with Rory eventually led to the Studio/2 DAC 3Bs/LA4/AHB2 with one of the DACs dedicated to the sub (my only source is streaming). I still had two volume controls and it is silly IMO to spend so much $ when a Flex balanced + a well measuring amp of adequate power is likely state of the art and audibly indistinguishable. I like many of us admire the quality and integration of Benchmark components but until they come out with a DSP capable device that integrates into their system I think there are better (more sensible) choices. One of the problems with audiodisease is the tendency to get lost in the weeds and spend $$ on gear with no audible benefit.
PS- would love to hear how you like your new setup

I agree completely with everything you wrote.
I wish Benchmark will add the basic DSP functions to the DAC3 (probably DAC4) with a nice interface like miniDSP/Okto, but I don't see it happening any time soon which means for now miniDSP is the way to go.

Unfortunately, miniDSP doesn't sell in my country which means I need to wait for my next visit to the US to get one (hopefully before XMAS)
 
I've been trying to answer a similar question myself, recently.
I don't think digital attenuation or passive attenuation are good options compared with a preamp, which can be very good value.
The last few years have seen some cracking Chinese headphone / pre amps come to the market.
I'd suggest the SMSL SP-400 or Topping L70, both of which have relay-switched resistor network volume controls.
 
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When I use JRiver with my DACs ASIO driver, both the volume control within JRiver and the Windows volume control are disabled, and a USB volume control won't work for that.

I imagine that's the same for all ASIO drivers.
 
When I use JRiver with my DACs ASIO driver, both the volume control within JRiver and the Windows volume control are disabled, and a USB volume control won't work for that.

I imagine that's the same for all ASIO drivers.
That's not necessary. USB volume control has worked for me with JRiver and various ASIO drivers. There is some variability in the application as all will permit VC within Jriver but only a few will support control of the VC within the DAC (e.g., exaSound).
 
I've been trying to answer a similar question myself, recently.
I don't think digital attenuation or passive attenuation are good options compared with a preamp, which can be very good value.
The last few years have seen some cracking Chinese headphone / pre amps come to the market.
I'd suggest the SMSL SP-400 or Topping L70, both of which have relay-switched resistor network volume controls.
Digital attenuation is fine, if done properly. Roon, for example resamples to 64-bit floating before doing any DSP or digital volume control. That allows a lot of attenuation before there's any risk to audio quality.

That said, relay volume control with precision resistors is also very good.
 
Does Roon resample to 64-bit?
Or just loads the sample into 64-bit format?
 
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