Noticed some differences between AudioQuest Cobalt DAC on Windows 11 laptop vs Windows 10 laptop.
I’ve used the Cobalt DAC with Windows 7 desktop and windows 10 MSI laptop before trying it with windows 11 Lenovo laptop.
Plug it in, enable it in Roon, select the AQ Cobalt zone and the volume displays 100%.
On the windows 10 laptop I set the volume max limit to 20 and because it was showing the volume at 100% I used the volume minus button to get down into the 20 max range of the slider scale. The Roon volume control worked as it should after that and the volume stayed in the limited range of 0 to 20. I played some tracts with the volume from 4 to 6 and it sounded very good with the headphones. The Dac gets warm to the touch while its plugged in even when its not being used.
On the windows 11 Lenovo laptop I followed the same setup and the volume adjustment. When I started a track the volume was full blast even with the slider showing 4 on the scale.
Checked the laptop volume it was at max. I’ve never had it more then a quarter on the laptop scale and it stays muted. That had to be maxed out by Roon. After lowering the laptop volume and muting the speakers the Roon scale started following suit. I can adjust the volume with the laptop volume control, the Roon volume control and the keyboard volume and mute buttons, with all staying in sync. The music sounds good with the headphones but the DAC never gets warm. The lights on the Cobalt are working as usual but the temperature remains cold to the touch.
Moved back to Windows 10 laptop, enabled AQ Cobalt, selected the zone and listened to a track. Working as it should with the DAC warming up immediately.
Moved back to Windows 11 laptop, enabled AQ Cobalt, selected the zone and listened to a track. Seems to be working as it should but the DAC remains cold to the touch.
Anyone with a Windows 11 laptop and Audioquest Cobalt Dac that can advise on their experience?
I’m curious how the DAC can be working without getting warm as it does on other devices.