TOPIC:

asx77 wrote:

From what I understand the minidsp is usi g 24bit for volume control. If you're listening to cd quality you can reduce the volume to -48dB before you start losing any resolution. 

it is completely not true, does not matter what bit depth you have, with this attenuation you get close to the noise level, you lose almost all signal.
Look at the picture, full scale signal 0dB, and -48dB. This empty area is signal information you lost, only small information left. 
If you upscale this small signal next, you will scale it up together with the noise.
 

plus5volt wrote:

asx77 wrote:

From what I understand the minidsp is usi g 24bit for volume control. If you're listening to cd quality you can reduce the volume to -48dB before you start losing any resolution. 

it is completely not true, does not matter what bit depth you have, with this attenuation you get close to the noise level, you lose almost all signal.
Look at the picture, full scale signal 0dB, and -48dB. This empty area is signal information you lost, only small information left. 
If you upscale this small signal next, you will scale it up together with the noise.
 

It's not as clear-cut as you're trying to suggest with your picture, since it depends what the noise level actually is.

When such 16bit digital signal (24bit @ -48dB) will leave digital domain, converted to analog, its amplitude instead 2V will have 4mV... noise and distortion parameters of analog components are given for significantly higher input signals... 

plus5volt wrote:

When such 16bit digital signal (24bit @ -48dB) will leave digital domain, converted to analog, its amplitude instead 2V will have 4mV... noise and distortion parameters of analog components are given for significantly higher input signals... 

My previous point stands. It is best to not just focus on what the signal level is but also what the noise level is. 

So that's from the Audiosciencereview review of the SHD. Is this what you mean? 

Loss of signal is not the same as loss of resolution.
Digital volume controls should be pretty well understood at this point. 

Vincent Kars has a good write up on his website:
thewelltemperedcomputer.com/Intro/SQ/VolumeControl.htm

Dave.

dreite wrote:

Loss of signal is not the same as loss of resolution.
Digital volume controls should be pretty well understood at this point. 

Vincent Kars has a good write up on his website:
thewelltemperedcomputer.com/Intro/SQ/VolumeControl.htm

Dave.



 

Nice link! but i think he did not mentioned the effect on the pristine signal with a pre amplifier versus none.

Also when setting up a system with a digital volume one should try
(at least once) listen at the digital volume at 0db and trim all amps for this.
A head room here may break the speakers and steal bit depth.
100watt direct coupled to a midrange IS LOUD!   
 

He didn't mention it because it's not relevant to his discussion. 

Audiophiles are perfectly free to not use digital volume controls.
But let's not mischaracterize/misunderstand their operation to justify that decision.

Dave.